As kids return to public school in Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said some parents have expressed concerns over the presence of armed National Guard troops who are patrolling the city as part of President Trump's crime crackdown.

Washington

As students return to public schools in Washington D.C., the presence of armed National Guard troops has sparked concern among parents and community leaders. Some parents feel reassured by the increased security, especially as children rely on public transportation to get to school, while others find the militarized environment intimidating for young students.

Crime statistics from the Metropolitan Police Department indicate a significant drop in robberies, car thefts, and assaults compared to previous years. However, questions remain about whether the heightened security measures are making all students and parents feel safer. Additionally, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia has expressed interest in prosecuting children as young as 12 as adults for certain crimes, though this would require legal changes.

D.C. kids head back to school as armed National Guard troops patrol city

As kids return to public school in the nation's capital, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser says parents have expressed concerns over the presence of the National Guard troops there. For more let's bring in CBS News Justice Correspondent Scott McFarlane. So Scott, good to see you. D.C. public schools reopened on Monday and as we mentioned Mayor Muriel Bowser says parents are concerned with the presence of National Guard troops and some are even considering keeping their children home. So why is that and what are they worried about? There's a whole range of opinions on this, Tom. It's not quite as simple as everybody on one side and everybody else on the other. There are some parents in the D.C. community, some of whom are active on city boards, saying that having the National Guard on the subway system does help give them peace of mind. The kids are going to get to and from school safely on the subway system. In Washington D.C. there really are no school buses. Kids take the subway. Kids take city buses to get to school or they walk. Maybe they're better protected. But there's another group, another potentially growing group of parents and community leaders who say just the sight of those military Humvees, those armed National Guard members may not register with a 12-year-old the way you think. That it may be intimidating, it may be scarring to see a militarized city as you're trying to walk to school and go into seventh grade. Take a listen to one community leader from southeast Washington D.C. who serves kids of that age group, tweens and teens. Just the other day I was talking to a young man, 3.0, 3.9 actually, GPA, and he doesn't hang out outside, but he said when, Ms. Hardy, when I looked out my window I was so scared. He said they were ATF, FBI, military, and the kids are afraid. They're afraid to leave out of their buildings. They're afraid to hang out outside. Does it make them feel safer? No. And Tom, one thing is becoming clear in the numbers. Our CBS News data team looking at Metropolitan Police Department data show crime has been down over the past two weeks from a similar two-week period over each of the last five years. Robberies down 60 percent, thefts of cars down 23 percent, assaults down 40 percent, but the question is, Tom, is this making everybody, especially school-aged kids and their parents, feel safer? Yeah, it's really an interesting point. We hear about adults' point of view, but it's interesting to also examine the situation through the eyes of a kid. Now, Scott, I want to change gears here. You're also reporting the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, says she'd like to begin prosecuting children as young as 12 as adults. Why does she want to do this, and is there precedent for this type of prosecution? The U.S. Attorney has said on multiple occasions now she wants the power to prosecute some teenagers who are committing very adult crimes. There was issues with that in 2023 in particular. She told another media outlet last night, perhaps as young as 12. A lot of moving parts there. A lot of things would have to change for her to have that capacity. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Scott McFarlane reporting for us from Washington. Scott, thank you.

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