DC Police Union: Carjackings down 83%, overall crime dropped 8% since federal assistance began

Carjackings in Washington, D.C., are down by 83%, and overall crime has dropped 8% since President Trump sent federal agencies to assist the Metropolitan Police Department last week, according to the D.C. Police Union.

Robberies in the nation's capital have dropped 46%, and violent crime has fallen by 22%, the union, which represents MPD's 3,000 personnel, said Monday. Car theft has declined by 21%, while property crimes and assaults with a deadly weapon are down by 6%.

"While federal assistance gives us a boost, we must repeal the misguided Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Act in order to make these changes permanent," the union said in a statement on X.

Trump deployed National Guard troops to D.C. on August 11 to assist local law enforcement in fighting crime. They are joined by federal officers from agencies such as the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Agency. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Sunday that more than 300 arrests have been made since the federal effort began last week.

In December 2022, the D.C. city council passed the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act, which was voted down by both the House and the Senate after it was submitted for congressional review in January 2023, USA Today reported. Then-President Biden vetoed Congress’s decision, allowing the law to take effect in April 2023.

The law restricts the use of force, sets parameters for the hiring and firing of officers, and increases access to disciplinary police records.

Last year, 21 D.C. police officers were barred from the force because of the law, with MPD citing the measure as the reason for the dismissal of 12 officers. The contracts of the other nine were reportedly not renewed “for a variety of reasons.”