Study says Guard has done little to reduce violent crime in D.C. : NPR
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- A Niskanen Center analysis found that President Trump's deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. led to a 24% reduction in petty property crimes but had little to no impact on violent crime rates, despite significant taxpayer costs.
- The current deployment includes about 2,800 National Guard members, with plans to double that number to 5,000 for a "summer surge" ahead of America's 250th birthday celebrations.
- Guard troops primarily conduct high-visibility patrols to free up local police for higher-crime areas, but the study indicates this redeployment has generally not occurred.
- The deployment costs approximately $1.5 million per day, and experts suggest more cost-effective policing strategies could achieve equal or better results.
- The White House dismissed the study's findings, claiming the task force and Guard presence have successfully reduced crime and improved quality of life, while officials emphasize ongoing efforts to enhance security in the capital.