More Police in Washington, D.C.

May 15, 2026, 21:08
USPolitics

Introduction

The government wants to stop crime in Washington, D.C. The city will have a big party for its 250th birthday soon.

Main Body

Police worked hard before. They arrested 13,000 people. They took 1,400 illegal guns. Now, crime is lower. Some teenagers cause trouble. The police cannot put children in jail for some rules. Now, the police will punish the parents. Parents may pay money or go to jail. The city has 5,000 more soldiers. They use drones and dogs to find criminals. Police also look for drugs and guns from other states.

Conclusion

The government is using more police and new tools to keep the city safe.

Learning

🔎 The 'Action' Pattern

Look at how the text describes what people did. It uses simple verbs to show a finished action:

  • Worked (Police worked hard)
  • Arrested (They arrested people)
  • Took (They took guns)

The Secret: To talk about the past in English, we often just add -ed to the end of the word.

Work → Worked Arrest → Arrested

Wait! Some words are 'rebels' and change completely. We call these irregular.

Take → Took (Not 'Taked')

🛠ī¸ Word Tools for the City

Notice these pairs of words that describe 'Who' and 'What' in the story:

WhoWhat they use/do
PoliceDrones and Dogs
ParentsPay money
GovernmentKeep city safe

A2 Tip: Use these simple pairs to build your own sentences. Example: "The police use dogs."

Vocabulary Learning

government (n.)
The group of people who run a country or city.
Example:The government will make new rules for safety.
stop (v.)
To make something end or not happen.
Example:The police will stop crime in the city.
crime (n.)
An illegal act that hurts people.
Example:The city wants to reduce crime.
city (n.)
A large town where many people live.
Example:Washington, D.C. is a city in the U.S.
police (n.)
The people who keep order and stop crime.
Example:The police arrested many people.
big (adj.)
Large in size or amount.
Example:They will have a big party.
party (n.)
A social gathering with food and music.
Example:The city will have a party for its birthday.
birthday (n.)
The anniversary of a person's birth.
Example:The city celebrates its 250th birthday.
people (n.)
Human beings, especially a group.
Example:The police arrested 13,000 people.
illegal (adj.)
Not allowed by law.
Example:They took 1,400 illegal guns.
guns (n.)
Firearms used to shoot.
Example:The police seized many guns.
lower (adj.)
Smaller in amount or level.
Example:Now, crime is lower.
teenagers (n.)
Young people aged about 13 to 19.
Example:Some teenagers cause trouble.
trouble (n.)
Problems or difficult situations.
Example:The teenagers caused trouble.
children (n.)
Young people under the age of 12.
Example:The police cannot put children in jail.
jail (n.)
A prison where people are kept.
Example:The police will put some people in jail.
parents (n.)
The mother and father of a child.
Example:The police will punish the parents.
money (n.)
Currency used to buy things.
Example:Parents may pay money for the punishment.
soldiers (n.)
People who serve in the army.
Example:The city has 5,000 more soldiers.
drones (n.)
Unmanned flying machines used for tasks.
Example:They use drones to find criminals.
dogs (n.)
Animals that help police find things.
Example:Dogs help the police track suspects.
criminals (n.)
People who break the law.
Example:The police look for criminals.
drugs (n.)
Illegal or harmful substances.
Example:Police also look for drugs.
states (n.)
Regions or countries that are part of a larger country.
Example:Guns come from other states.
tools (n.)
Objects used to do work.
Example:The government uses new tools to keep the city safe.
safe (adj.)
Free from danger or harm.
Example:The city is safe with more police.
new (adj.)
Recently made or discovered.
Example:They use new tools to fight crime.
keep (v.)
To continue having or to protect.
Example:The government keeps the city safe.
use (v.)
To employ something for a purpose.
Example:Police use drones to find criminals.
find (v.)
To discover or locate something.
Example:Police find evidence at crime scenes.