Bush Signs Bill to Boost Capital Police by 700

President Bush signed legislation Tuesday to provide an additional 700 police officers for the District of Columbia, where drug-related violence has given the city the title “murder capital.”

He also signed a law to require all schools that receive federal aid to have anti-drug education programs. It provides federal grants to establish such initiatives in at-risk school districts.

Both measures are aimed at escalating the nation’s war on drugs. The President earlier signed the bulk of an $8.8-billion battle plan that calls for increased efforts on all fronts--law enforcement, interdiction, education and treatment.

The additional police officers for the District of Columbia are aimed at combatting a rising tide of violence in the nation’s capital.

As of Tuesday, police had reported 415 murders in the city, most drug-related. At this time last year, the district had 344 murders and was en route to registering the highest homicide rate in the country.

Under the measure signed by Bush, the city, whose budget is subject to federal approval, will receive $127 million over the next four years for 700 more officers. The police force now numbers nearly 4,000.