FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) — About 300 Indiana National Guard soldiers are now in Washington, D.C., helping with a citywide safety effort.

They arrived Saturday to support the district’s “Safe and Beautiful” mission.

The soldiers will team up with local and federal partners on safety patrols and traffic posts to cut crime, protect property, and keep the peace.

Lt. Col. Derek Sutton, who leads the group, told families during a send-off in Franklin that their job is to help make the city safer for the people who live, work, and visit there.

He said the Guard acts as a bridge between everyday Americans and the military.

The soldiers trained at Camp Atterbury through November with a focus on response, crowd management, and de-escalation.