Muriel Bowser (left), Donald Trump (AP)
As US President Donald Trump’s federal law enforcement surge nears the end of its third week in Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser has publicly voiced concern over the growing anxiety among residents – especially in immigrant communities. While Bowser acknowledged that the increased federal presence has helped push crime trends in a positive direction, she criticised the role of masked ICE agents and out-of-state national guard troops operating in the city, according to a report by WTOPnews.“There’s tremendous anxiety in the District,” Bowser said at a recent press conference. “When I look and I see residents putting things on social media or neighborhood chats, I know that there is a lot of anxiety. There’s a lot of anxiety with kids going back to school,” as quoted by the portal.The Mayor specifically referred to a recent incident reported by the news agency AP, where federal officers made an arrest near Bancroft Elementary School in Mount Pleasant, prompting chants from residents. Some of the officers reportedly had their faces covered, further intensifying public fear. Bowser confirmed to the portal that US immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) agents have been riding along with DC police officers during traffic stops, particularly those involving mopeds. However, the city, she said, has no access to information about who ICE detains.“I am concerned, for sure, because we think anything that we do and anything that we’re going to ask federal partners to do is focused on violent crime,” she said.DC is home to many residents with temporary protected status, and Bowser warned that the current enforcement approach risks alienating both documented and undocumented individuals.“Whether you have documents or you’re undocumented, you almost feel like you’re being caught up in a dragnet, and that is horrible,” she said. To Hispanic workers living in fear, she added: “I would express to them as a neighbor how very sorry I am that they’re living in this terror,” the mayor was quoted. Police chief Pamela Smith also acknowledged the hesitation among residents to reach out for help due to fear. Deputy mayor for public safety and justice Lindsey Appiah reiterated the city’s appeal: “We do want people to continue to call when they need help.”The federal deployment is currently set to end on September 10 unless President Trump seeks congressional approval for an extension. Bowser said the city would be ready to work with federal resources differently once the 30-day period ends.“We will be prepared to take advantage of additional federal officers to focus on beautification, to support the federal task force, when that time period expires,” she said.Despite tensions, crime in the city is reportedly down compared to the same period last year. Bowser also emphasised the need to strengthen DC’s police force by hiring 500 more officers to reach a 4,000-member target over the coming years.
