Task Force, Park Police Recover Seven Firearms During 24-Hour Enforcement Operation

Date: June 8, 2026
Contact:United States Park Police

WASHINGTON - The DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force and U.S. Park Police officers recovered seven illegal firearms during a 24-hour enforcement period between June 6 and June 7, as part of Operation Make DC Safe and Beautiful, the federal public safety initiative established under Executive Order 14252.

The firearm recoveries occurred during proactive patrols, traffic enforcement operations and crime suppression efforts throughout the District of Columbia and surrounding federal parklands. The recovered weapons included four handguns seized in separate incidents, as well as three additional firearms-including two loaded handguns and an AR-style pistol-recovered during a traffic stop in Northeast Washington.

Among the recoveries were:

• A loaded Glock 19 recovered during a traffic stop on the Clara Barton Parkway.
• A loaded Glock 43 recovered during a traffic stop in Northwest Washington.
• A handgun recovered from a subject carrying the weapon in Anacostia Park.
• Three firearms recovered during a traffic stop near Benning Road NE, including two loaded handguns and an AR-style pistol.
• An additional firearm recovered during a traffic stop on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway that resulted in multiple arrests.

The seven firearm recoveries highlight the continued impact of Operation Make DC Safe and Beautiful and the coordinated efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement partners working to reduce violent crime, remove illegal weapons from the streets, and improve public safety throughout the nation's capital.

"Every illegal firearm removed from our communities is a potential act of violence prevented," said U.S. Park Police Chief Scott Brecht. "These recoveries demonstrate the commitment of the men and women assigned to Operation Make DC Safe and Beautiful and the ongoing success in restoring safety, order and quality of life for residents and visitors alike."

Since the implementation of Executive Order 14252, U.S. Park Police officers assigned to the task force have worked alongside partner agencies to target violent offenders, disrupt criminal activity and enhance public safety in areas experiencing elevated crime and quality-of-life concerns. The recovery of seven firearms in a single operational period underscores the importance of sustained enforcement efforts and interagency cooperation in making Washington, D.C. safer for everyone.