More police needed to keep up with Hyattsville crime

Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007

More police needed to keep up with Hyattsville crime

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On Nov. 12, the Hyattsville City Council defeated my Public Safety Act of 2007. The motion was to establish a plan for gradually increasing the number of sworn officers from 40 to 48 over two years subject to the availability of funds and adjustments for anticipated development and annexation. Also, there were provisions for encouraging design and construction elements in development projects that would contribute to public safety. Only Councilwomen [Paula] Perry (a co-sponsor) and [Ruth Ann] Frazier, and I voted for it.

The concern with public safety in light of annexation and development did not begin with the shooting at a Route 1 store the other week. The concern began years ago.

Nearly two years ago, the Hyattsville City Police Department requested 10 additional sworn officers to cover the East-West Highway commercial area annexation. That request did not cover the University Hills annexation, development at University Town Center with high-rise student housing and movie complex, or other commercial and residential development around the city. Increases in authorized officers over the past two years (from 34 to 40) have not caught up with the HCPD request or other development. HCPD’s staffing requests are based on an analysis of crime reports, calls for service and the need to maintain patrols.

Crime has not decreased in Hyattsville since annexation, contrary to the statement given in the Nov. 22 Gazette (‘‘Hyattsville shooting prompts questions on crime prevention”). It has increased dramatically. Reported crimes rose 88 percent for the first six months of 2007 compared to 2006, from 503 (pre-annexation) to 944 (post-annexation). Even comparing two post-annexation periods, reported crime continues to rise: up 26 percent between the third quarter of 2006 and 2007 (from 406 to 513). The most recent crime reports for October 2007 show a 21 percent increase compared with 2007 (from 130 to 157). These reports are available at www.hyattsville.org.

Also contrary to reports in The Gazette, there was substantial input from HCPD in the form of statistics, reports and recommendations to the council, and comments on the draft bill, which were reflected in revisions in the bill before the council on Nov. 12. In comments attached to the motion, HCPD acknowledged the importance of increasing police officers so that the city may maintain its community policing and traffic safety efforts. Also, the city staff expressed support for the design and construction provisions. In addition to staff input, I surveyed ward residents – 66 percent of respondents expressing support for an increase in the number of police officers.

There is no higher priority for a municipal government than the safety of its residents. In order to meet this need, we need to plan for safety when we plan for development and we need to listen to the input of our public safety professionals and our residents.

Mark Matulef,Ward 2 councilman, Hyattsville