August 24, 2025 – Boulder, Colorado Boulder Channel 1 News
President Donald Trump’s recent move to federalize Washington, D.C.’s police department and deploy 800 National Guard troops to combat crime and homelessness has ignited a wave of discussion nationwide, including in Boulder, Colorado, where residents are grappling with their own public safety concerns. The unprecedented action in the nation’s capital, announced on August 11, 2025, has been hailed by some as a bold step to restore order, while others view it as a controversial overreach. For one 80-year-old Boulder resident, the news from D.C. has sparked hope that similar measures could address growing safety issues in their own community.

In Washington, D.C., Trump declared a public safety emergency, citing rampant crime and homelessness as threats to the city’s residents and its status as the nation’s capital. “Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people,” Trump stated during a press conference at the White House. He placed the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under federal control, with Attorney General Pam Bondi overseeing operations and Drug Enforcement Agency Administrator Terry Cole appointed as interim federal commissioner. The deployment of National Guard troops, supported by federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, and ICE, has targeted high-traffic areas like the National Mall and transit hubs, aiming to curb violent crime and clear homeless encampments.

According to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, the results have been significant: in the seven days following the August 11 deployment, carjackings dropped by 83%, robberies by 46%, car thefts by 21%, and overall violent crime by 22% compared to the prior week. However, critics, including D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, argue that violent crime was already down 26% in 2025 compared to 2024, suggesting the federal intervention may be more about political optics than necessity. Despite the debate, Trump’s actions have resonated with some outside D.C., particularly in cities like Boulder, where residents feel their own public spaces have become unsafe.
In Boulder, an 80-year-old resident, who preferred to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, expressed frustration with the city’s deteriorating public safety. “I don’t go out anymore because it’s not safe,” they said. “Street people are everywhere, preying on people. There’s nowhere to park for disabled folks like me, and the benches are all taken over by the homeless. Even the creek path, which used to be a beautiful place to walk, feels dangerous now.” The resident’s concerns echo a growing sentiment among some Boulderites who feel that local efforts to address homelessness and crime have fallen short.

The Boulder Creek Path, a cherished community asset, has become a focal point of concern. Once a haven for joggers, cyclists, and families, the path has seen an increase in homeless encampments, with reports of aggressive behavior and littering deterring regular use. “I used to love walking along the creek, but now I’m scared to go there alone,” the resident added. Social media posts on X reflect similar frustrations, with one user urging local police to address encampments along bike paths in nearby Lakewood, suggesting the issue is regional.
The lack of accessible infrastructure compounds the problem. The resident highlighted the scarcity of disabled parking spaces, noting that “there’s shit for disabled parking” in downtown Boulder, making it difficult for elderly or mobility-impaired individuals to navigate the city safely. Public benches, often occupied by homeless individuals, are no longer available for those needing a place to rest. “I can’t walk far without needing to sit, but the benches are gone—taken over,” they said. A post on X from earlier this year noted Boulder’s use of large rocks to deter homeless encampments, a measure criticized as merely displacing the problem without addressing root causes.
Inspired by Trump’s D.C. initiative, the resident called for federal intervention in Boulder, specifically mentioning the National Guard and ICE. “I hope they come here and do their job to clean up Boulder,” they said, expressing a desire for a similar crackdown on crime and homelessness. In D.C., Trump’s plan includes removing homeless encampments from public spaces, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that individuals will be offered shelter, addiction services, or mental health support, but those who refuse could face fines or jail time. The administration has already cleared 70 encampments in D.C. parks, with only two remaining as of August 13.

However, Boulder’s situation differs from D.C.’s. Unlike the nation’s capital, which operates under the Home Rule Act and is subject to federal oversight, Boulder falls under Colorado’s state jurisdiction, limiting the president’s authority to deploy federal forces without state approval. Governor Jared Polis and Boulder’s local government, led by Mayor Aaron Brockett, have prioritized local solutions, such as expanding shelter capacity and outreach programs. Yet, some residents feel these efforts have not kept pace with the visible presence of homelessness and associated safety concerns.

Critics of federal intervention, both in D.C. and potentially elsewhere, argue that such measures risk violating civil liberties and fail to address underlying issues like affordable housing, mental health care, and substance abuse treatment. Monica Hopkins of the ACLU of Washington warned that Trump’s D.C. takeover could set a precedent for other cities, raising constitutional concerns. In Boulder, advocates for the homeless echo this sentiment, pointing out that moving encampments without providing sustainable housing solutions often exacerbates the problem. A 2025 point-in-time count in D.C. showed a 9% decrease in homelessness, suggesting that local efforts can yield results when adequately funded.

Despite these complexities, the Boulder resident remains hopeful that a strong, decisive approach—modeled on Trump’s D.C. strategy—could restore safety and accessibility to their city. “I just want to feel safe walking in my own town again,” they said. “If it takes the National Guard or ICE to make that happen, I’m all for it.”
As Trump’s D.C. experiment unfolds, with legal challenges expected and debates over home rule intensifying, cities like Boulder are watching closely. Whether federal intervention could or should extend to places like Colorado remains uncertain, but for some residents, the promise of safer streets is a powerful draw. For now, Boulder’s elderly and disabled residents, like the 80-year-old who shared their story, continue to navigate a city that feels increasingly out of reach.
Sources: USA TODAY, ABC News, NBC4 Washington, PBS News, Jann Scott, GROK