Washington, D.C.— Today, the United States Conference of Mayors President David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City, released the following statement in response to the Administration’s plans to deploy federal law enforcement in Washington, DC.
“Crime rates are plummeting in cities across the United States, including in Washington, DC, as documented in the FBI’s national crime rate report released just last week. This is a nationwide success story. This drop in crime rates is a testament to good policy and investment, and it also reflects the outstanding work of our men and women in law enforcement. Ultimately, the best public safety outcomes are delivered by local police departments and local officials, who know the communities. America’s mayors never see takeovers by other levels of government as a tactic that has any track record of producing results. Local control is always best. Having said that, we do see great value in partnership between levels of government, and we can imagine value in such partnerships in our nation’s capital. We hope federal officials will work directly in partnership with Mayor Bowser and her public safety team to continue the reduction in crime that has already occurred in DC. A partnership – not a takeover – will produce the best outcomes for the people of Washington and the city’s many visitors.”