U.S. Agencies to Help in Fight on Crime in Capital

The FBI, U.S. Capitol Police, Park Police, the uniformed division of the Secret Service and the Drug Enforcement Agency will assist local police in fighting violent and drug-related crime in the nation’s capital, federal officials said Thursday.

The officers will be deployed in Washington neighborhoods to supplement local police in the District of Columbia, where 87 people have been slain already this year.

Secondary support will be provided by the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Protective Service, the Customs Agency, the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Defense Department.

Kevin Ohlson, spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office, declined to elaborate on the role of each agency. But many will have arrest authority and other local police authority, other officials said.

Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly proposed increased federal assistance in November after President Clinton refused her request for D.C. National Guard troops to supplement the city’s 4,213 police officers.

Under the program, to be announced today by U.S. Atty. Eric H. Holder Jr., the federal agencies will target specific police districts where their assistance and expertise are specially suited.

For example, Capitol Police will provide second response and canine assistance in the area surrounding the federal enclave and Capitol Hill. They also have been given the same authority as D.C. police to handle violent crime throughout the city.