Public Safety
We need a comprehensive agenda on crime that includes: priotizing a strategic crime-fighting plan, community policing, robust support for public safety professionals, intervention for at-risk youth, and effective transition planning for ex-offenders.
Prioritized & Strategic Crime Fighting
Our local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities should work together to prioritize criminal prosecutions and target areas. Further, a more seamless relationship between law enforcement agencies will ensure more efficient use of limited resources and staffing. Areas of focus for Prince George’s County should include:
(1) Violent Crimes (particularly domestic violence, school violence, and gangs);
(2) Property Crimes (particularly burglaries and auto theft); and
(3)Economic & White Collar Crime (especially mortgage fraud.)
Where appropriate, for non-violent offenders, our agenda on crime should include smart alternatives to incarceration such as drug treatment courts, mental health treatment, and other diversion programs that save money by reducing recidivism rates.
Community Policing
Law enforcement is most effective when the community is engaged as a full partner with police, sheriffs, and prosecutors. Therefore, every effort should be made to get individual officers out of their cruisers and assistant state’s attorneys out of their offices to develop a relationship with the community. This can be done by:
Meeting with the Community (including homeowners’ associations and civic associations); Developing Neighborhood Watch Groups; and Partnering with Non-profits and Faith-Based Organizations.
Support Public Safety Professionals
We have to ensure that police, firefighters, sheriffs, and other public safety personnel have access to the resources, staffing, and equipment necessary to do their jobs and keep us safe. This support should include:
(1) Acquiring the Latest Technology;
(2) Recruiting the Best & Brightest Residents of the County;
(3) Creating incentives so that law enforcement personnel live in Prince George's County; and
(4) Incentivized Grants & Adequate Funding.
Crime Prevention
It is cheaper and more effective to invest in programs that prevent crime than to invest in enforcement. Youth are committing increasing amounts of crime and ex-offenders account for a far majority of all crimes committed. These trends promise to continue if we do not act now. Prevention should focus on:
(1) Funding programs that keep youth out of the criminal justice system (e.g., Boys & Girls Clubs);
(2) Funding programs that keep ex-offenders from re-offending; and
(3) Nurturing programs that assist the transition of individuals out of the criminal justice system.
