Today the DC Council is holding a hearing on increased National Guard and federal law enforcement presence in the District and three permanent bills to address the issue. Individuals may submit written comments for the record until 5:30 pm on November 12. See Hearing Notice.

National Guard members have been in the neighborhood daily for several weeks now. I often see them walking around Chillum Place NE, Kennedy Street NE, South Dakota Avenue NE, and Hamilton Street NE. On Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker’s recent Ward 5 public safety call, an MPD official stated that the joint so-called “Safe & Beautiful Task Force” decides where Guard members patrol, not MPD. (Slides from the call available here; recording available here.)

It remains unclear why Guard members are in our neighborhood and in our city. State governors should call their Guard members home.