Prince George’s County police may soon have a new role in reviewing development proposals, one that some council members worry could slow down an already arduous process. Legislation sponsored by Councilman Mel Franklin, D-Accokeek, would require the county planning board to refer site and design plans for proposed developments in Prince George’s to the police department.
Police officials would then review the plans and suggest improvements to the building’s design that could help deter crime a notion embraced by other council members.
“That’s exactly what we need to be doing to make our communities safer,” said Council Chairwoman Ingrid Turner, D-Bowie. “We should be looking at all our experts to provide information to make our communities as safe as possible ahead of time.”
The police review, known as crime prevention through environmental design, stresses things like increased visibility, extra lighting and heavy pedestrian volume to make criminals thing twice before committing a crime.
If you think someone is watching you, you’re less likely to do something wrong, according to Sgt. Brendan Devaney, an officer with the police’s community services division.
The police department is already called on to review buildings and housing complexes where crime is an issue, he said.
“It’s things like seeing and being seen, designing buildings so you have the maximum ability to observe and see people who are going to be there,” Devaney said.
While the police department’s feedback would only be a recommendation, the planning department and county council would have the authority to require a developer to change their building designs to include police input.
Councilman Eric Olson, D-College Park, said he supported the concept but was concerned about adding another step to the planning department’s review process and adding another task for the police department to handle.
“Depending on the volume of plans that come through, does this mean that we have to dedicate somebody in the police department to do this?” Olson said. “I do want to make sure plans are not held up and stuck in another review.
An amendment offered by County Executive Rushern Baker’s staff would combine the police review with an existing phase in the planning department’s review to keep the process running smoothly.
The bill must be voted favorably out of the economic development committee before it goes before the full council.
