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The federal law enforcement surge in Washington, D.C., this past summer is a perfect illustration of these realities. The Trump administration flooded the chronically under-policed city with federal law enforcement agencies and National Guard units. During the surge, many crime categories saw sharp declines compared to the same periods last year. By such measures, the operation was a success (Even if we can’t parse out exactly how much of the declines were attributable to federal efforts, their magnitude and timing are too pronounced to reflect mere coincidence). But federal resources are not unlimited, and so you can expect that trends will eventually start regressing back toward the pre-surge trajectory (if they haven’t already) with the end of President Donald Trump’s “crime emergency” last month. Such is the nature of surges. But that doesn’t mean they’re not worth doing. Summertime surges in high-crime enclaves can provide concrete relief to communities during a time in which victimization risks are particularly pronounced. The short-term benefits of a well-executed surge can also provide an important example for other jurisdictions to follow.
