In the wake of yet another weekend marred by violence in the nation's capital, a Washington DC councilman is advocating for the deployment of the National Guard.
Councilmember Trayon White, Sr., a Democrat representing Ward 8, expressed his concerns on Monday, stating, "The crime is out of control and getting worse by the day. We must declare an emergency regarding the crime and violence in our neighborhoods and act urgently. It may be time to call on the National Guard to protect the children and innocent people that are losing their lives to this senselessness."
White's frustration is palpable as he laments the tragic loss of young lives, declaring, "I am tired of burying our children. We are too comfortable with the state of our city. We must take action to gain control and protect our residents. Law enforcement is only one part of how we combat public safety issues. It will take all of us to heal our community."
Recognizing the need for a collective effort, White called upon the community and its stakeholders to join forces in addressing the violence plaguing the city. He emphasized that elected officials alone cannot solve this crisis, stating, "This effort requires the input and cooperation of parents, students, churches, businesses, civic associations, and even those responsible for the violence. We all must do this together. I stand ready to make our streets safe for all who walk them, not only in Ward 8 but across the District."
To further amplify his message, White has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday at 1 pm local time, to be held at the intersection of Good Hope Road and 16th Street Southeast. This location holds a somber significance, as it was the site of a fatal shooting over the weekend that claimed three lives and left two injured.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the alarming statistics. In August alone, 13 people have lost their lives in 10 separate shootings, pushing the total number of homicides for the year to 158. This represents a staggering increase of approximately 22 percent since 2022, making 2023 the deadliest year in the past two decades.
As the city grapples with this surge in violence, Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. is determined to rally the community and explore all possible avenues to restore safety and security to the streets of Washington DC.
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