In early August, President Donald Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. However, residents have noted that these troops are primarily visible in tourist areas and subway stations, rather than in the city's higher crime neighborhoods.

In Southeast Washington, community advocates like Jawanna Hardy have observed an increase in police presence, but not from the National Guard. Hardy, who founded Guns Down Friday, an organization aimed at supporting youth affected by crime, reported that officers from outside the area are making arrests for offenses such as public marijuana use and transit fare evasion.

"Just the other day, a young lady went to jail for fare evasion. She jumped the fence at the metro and didn't pay, and they arrested her," Hardy said. "She went to jail for, I think, two days." Hardy, known as Miss Hardy in her community, has been conducting training sessions every Friday to educate youth on how to interact with law enforcement and to inform them about changes in police practices.

The White House confirmed that National Guard troops are not making arrests. Instead, there has been a significant increase in federal law enforcement presence in D.C., particularly in Wards 7 and 8, where nearly half of the non-immigration arrests since the crime crackdown began have occurred.

According to a White House spokesperson, Abigail Jackson, there have been 1,283 arrests in Washington since August 7, when the surge in law enforcement began. The Metropolitan Police Department reported 898 incidents of violent crime this year, with 699 occurring in Wards 7 and 8.

Community advocates are questioning the effectiveness of this increased law enforcement. Hardy expressed concern over the financial implications of deploying the National Guard, estimating the cost at about $1 million per day for 2,200 troops. "If $1 million is being spent every day, that's $30 million a month. Where's this money coming from?" she asked.

Residents in the Renaissance apartments in Ward 8 have noticed a heightened police presence since the deployment. The area has seen improvements, such as iron gates installed to deter unwanted visitors after a series of drive-by shootings. However, many buildings remain boarded up, and the community lacks recreational facilities for youth.

Bryan Turner, a 23-year-old resident, emphasized the need for more community resources rather than increased police presence. "The community needs a lot more," he said. He believes that young people should have safe spaces to engage in activities without the fear of police intervention.

Seventeen-year-old Laniyah King noted that while there have been no recent drive-by shootings, the presence of police in unmarked vehicles raises safety concerns. "The boys don't know whether to defend themselves or just walk away," she said. "A bullet doesn't have a name on it, and it could end up in any direction. So I really don't feel safe."

As the debate continues over the role of law enforcement in addressing crime, residents and advocates are calling for a shift in focus toward community investment and support.