News Summary
The federal emergency declaration for the National Guard’s presence in Washington, D.C. is set to expire. Amid rising crime concerns, Ohio lawmakers are debating potential deployments in cities like Cincinnati. Mayor Bowser requests continued Guard presence in D.C. while state officials announce new law enforcement strategies for Cincinnati. The situation reflects a divide among lawmakers regarding appropriate responses to crime.
Columbus, Ohio – Emergency Declaration Expires, National Guard Deployment Decisions Loom
The federal emergency declaration allowing for the National Guard’s presence in Washington, D.C., is set to expire on September 10. Despite this expiration, National Guard troops will remain in the capital at the request of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser for continued coordination with federal law enforcement amidst ongoing security concerns.
With the expiration of the emergency declaration, President Donald Trump has hinted at the potential for National Guard deployment to another U.S. city in the near future. Some Ohio Republicans are advocating for an expanded federal law enforcement presence in cities such as Cleveland and Cincinnati, as they cite rising crime rates.
Ohio Representative Warren Davidson has pointed to a violent brawl in downtown Cincinnati as evidence of increasing criminal activity, drawing parallels to conditions in Washington, D.C. He emphasized issues such as gang violence and questioned the efficacy of Cincinnati’s current “do not pursue” policy, suggesting a reevaluation of local law enforcement strategies is warranted.
To address these concerns, Cincinnati city officials, in conjunction with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, have announced a new strategy aimed at enhancing law enforcement efforts. This involves a memorandum of understanding that facilitates joint operations between the Cincinnati Police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, which can take place up to twice a month. These operations will specifically focus on targeting liquor establishments where drug trafficking and other crimes are prevalent.
Governor DeWine has underscored that the objective of this initiative is to eliminate repeat violent offenders from the Cincinnati area. In contrast, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval has expressed a preference for collaboration with local law enforcement rather than the deployment of the National Guard. He has labeled the use of National Guard troops as a poor allocation of resources that may, in fact, compromise the city’s safety.
Supporting the Mayor’s views, Representative Greg Landsman has highlighted the importance of partnerships between local law enforcement agencies rather than reliance on military assistance. The ongoing discourse reflects a divide among Ohio lawmakers regarding the appropriate response to crime in the state’s major cities.
As the situation develops, President Trump is anticipated to make an announcement regarding the next city designated for National Guard deployment, with discussions previously suggesting Chicago as a possible candidate. Currently, over 100 members of the Ohio National Guard have been dispatched to Washington, D.C., fulfilling a request from the Secretary of the Army to aid in security operations.
Notably, the National Guard members currently stationed in Washington will not be performing law enforcement duties within Ohio, as their roles focus on enhancing security through presence patrols. Other states, including West Virginia and South Carolina, have also sent National Guard units to D.C., bringing the overall total to approximately 1,500 personnel.
Despite the ongoing debate over the deployment of the National Guard in Ohio, Governor DeWine has clarified that there are currently no plans to send National Guard troops to Cincinnati, emphasizing a measured approach to handling crime that prioritizes community policing efforts.
The situation remains fluid as Ohio’s lawmakers grapple with the best strategies to combat rising crime and ensure public safety amidst changing federal and state directives regarding law enforcement resources.
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CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
