4 years ago
(WUSA) - DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton steps up her fight to keep you and tourists to our city safe on the National Mall. It's the latest in the increased crime prevention efforts downtown.
Del. Norton is especially concerned about protecting the public as well as the image of the nation's capital. The Park Police has a limited staff, but after 9/11, the U.S. Capitol Police force was beefed up. Norton wants to borrow from Capitol Police to help Park Police patrol The National Mall at night.
Del. Norton visited The Mall Monday night. "I've come unannounced," she said, "to see if they're maintaining a uniformed presence at night." Norton has made it her mission to ensure the safety of the place she calls home. "All I know is when six police are here at night and you have a second round of muggings, I know we need more than that."
Calling it a natural fit, Norton wants to borrow officers and facilities from the U.S. Capitol Police Department to help beef up the Park Police force, especially at night. "How do you send a signal to people and criminals who discovered the mall: don't even try it again, not in the daytime, but at night?" Norton asked.
There is a $4.3 million increase for Park Police. That could supply as many as 35 additional officers. Most of them would go to the District.
DC Police Chief Charles Ramsey spoke to 9News about his crime emergency plan on 9 News at 9am. Click here to hear his comments.
Written by 9NEWS NOW
