WASHINGTON, D.C. — At a virtual town hall titled “Crime, Crackdowns, and Public Outcry,” D.C. residents, legal experts, and community leaders gathered to discuss the growing impact of increased federal law enforcement in the District — a trend panelists warned could spread to other progressive cities across the country.
Moderated by Ford Law Pros Attorney and Activist Yaida Ford, Esq., the event brought panelists from the federal public defender service, judges from the D.C. Superior Court, community activists and representatives from the ACLU of D.C. to unpack the surge in federal oversight, its effect on residents, and how the community can protect itself against over-policing.
Speakers described how new federal policies and pending crime legislation have strained D.C.’s criminal justice system. Chief Judge Milton C. Lee, Jr. of the D.C. Superior Court noted a sharp rise in misdemeanor and gun possession cases, with some misdemeanor calendars carrying between 600–1,000 cases. The recent federal shutdown further exacerbated the problem, stalling court operations and overburdening public defenders and court staff.
“The reality is, D.C. is being used as a testing ground for federal overreach,” said Yaida Ford. “When local control is stripped away, the people who suffer most are those already on the margins — our youth, working families, and communities of color.”
Panelists emphasized that the federal presence in D.C. has blurred jurisdictional lines, creating confusion and fear among residents encountering masked officers without name tags. The discussion also explored the ineffectiveness of “tough-on-crime” measures and underscored the need for restorative justice and prevention strategies, especially for youth offenders.
“Mass incarceration and over-policing is not a path to safety,” Ford continued. “It’s a path to danger and disinvestment. Real safety comes from stable housing, mental health support, and investment in our young people — not from flooding our neighborhoods with law enforcement.”
Advocate Russell “Jolly Good Ginger” Ellis spoke to the community’s growing fear amid heightened policing:
“People are afraid to let their children walk to school alone,” Ellis said. “People are afraid to just be out and about like they normally do.”
The panel encouraged residents to stay engaged by documenting police interactions, attending community meetings, and supporting D.C. statehood to ensure greater local control over the city’s courts, judges, and policing policies.
Read more: WTOP: What are your rights while interacting with federal law enforcement? D.C. town hall offers insight
