D.C. authorities, responding to what they call the need to prevent crime from “bubbling” up in urban areas, have enlisted the cities Fire Department to aid the effort. for about three weeks now, big red fire trucks have been deployed to the “dangerous” parts of town and firemen have been instructed to essentially stand about and observe.
“It’s to prevent things from bubbling up. The idea is that if you have a fire engine with adults there no one is going to commit a crime,” said D.C. Deputy Mayor Paul Quander.
City officials said they just want firefighters to call 911 if they see suspicious activity. But this policy begs the question: if the streets are truly dangerous enough to warrant a standing army, why hasn’t a trained police force been deployed? more