Baltimore residents tell Don Lemon they support Trump deploying troops to tackle violent crime

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: Many Baltimore residents approved of President Donald Trump's crime crackdown and expressed hope that the POTUS would deploy troops to "straighten everything out."

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser initially expressed concern when the president announced his plans to deploy National Guard troops and assume oversight of the Metropolitan Police Department.

However, in a press conference last week, she admitted that the federal surge has had a noticeable impact on one of America's most dangerous cities, including an 87% reduction in carjackings.

Baltimore resident says crime rate is 'going higher and higher'

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon spoke to locals in a Baltimore neighborhood on Friday, September 5, as he did an extensive man-on-the-street interview.

He asked residents of a rough neighborhood in Baltimore whether they would like to see troops getting deployed there.

An older woman told Lemon, "I have been a resident of Maryland all my life, so I think it would help some."

She added that her husband was murdered in a carjacking in front of their house, and also claimed there were no consequences for the perpetrator, who remains unknown to this day. She said she wants justice.

The reporter asked, "And you would like to see the troops here and the National Guard?" and the woman replied, "Yes".

Another resident, a male Trump supporter, said, "It's getting out of hand, man. All these killings all the time. You know, the murder rate's going higher and higher and all the drugs."

He added that government programs aren't working to determine the causes of crime in the area. 

"Send the troops to straighten everything out, you know what I mean? And then, like, you know, make Baltimore great again. Rebuild it back how it was a long time ago," the man said.

Meanwhile, another man in Muslim garb added that Trump sending troops to the streets might be a welcome change.

"I’m not opposed to it. I think it’ll be a good idea. Maybe we can clean up some of these crime-ridden neighborhoods," he said.

He also described the local crime levels as "atrocious" and added that such a change would be "a breath of fresh air."

Baltimore community leaders share views on Trump's crime approach

Baltimore community leaders have expressed their views on Donald Trump’s consideration of sending federal enforcement to Baltimore.

Notably, the Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 supports federal law enforcement.

The union's president, Mike Mancuso, wrote in a statement sent to 11 News, "Baltimore is short 600-700 cops, and the brave ones that are left are severely overworked. Let's keep politics out of this and welcome those who want to help in the crime fight."

Moreover, Ray Kelly, a member of the Citizens Policing Project, criticized the president's approach and argued that it is unnecessary.

"I think the president is pressing for a tough-on-crime stance, even though there's no need for a tougher on crime stance," Kelly mentioned.

Erricka Bridgeford, co-founder of the Baltimore Peace Movement, stated that Trump should prioritize wellness.

"It's all about wellness, the things we need for survival, the things we need to feel good about ourselves, we need to be mentally well, those are all the things," Bridgeford remarked.