Hyattsville provides ‘excellent public safety’

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007

Hyattsville provides ‘excellent public safety’

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I must respond to the misleading letter [‘‘More police needed to keep up with Hyattsville crime,” Letters to the Editor, Dec. 6] by Councilman [Mark] Matulef regarding a recent Hyattsville City Council vote. The city police department did not request 10 additional officers to cover the commercial areas annexed by the city. The council has increased the number of officers, and in the [fiscal] ‘08 budget, the chief requested 42 officers and the City Council approved funding for 40 officers (in December 2006 we had 33 officers). Since July 2005, the City Council has improved the compensation of officers and dispatchers and has increased the police budget from less than $3.9 million to more than $6.2 million.

The city continues to provide excellent public safety services for residents and businesses. As expected, the number of crimes within the city’s borders increased due to annexation – and, as expected, nearly all the increase is due to theft. Crime against persons is the same for 2007 as for 2006. The areas we annexed and the surrounding neighborhoods are safer because we are arresting and prosecuting the criminals. Arrests doubled from 2005 to 2006, and are up 53 percent in 2007.

The City Council is committed to providing resources that ensure safety throughout our community. We will continue to invest in officers, equipment that enhances their effectiveness and safety, and targeted programs that address concerns. We will also continue to support other measures that increase safety, such as improving lighting, rebuilding our infrastructure, creating attractive neighborhoods and parks, and investment to develop vibrant mixed-use areas.

William F. Gardiner, Hyattsville mayor