Crime in Prince George’s County continued to decline in 2007 despite a modest rise in the number of murders for the year, Chief Melvin High said Wednesday.
Meanwhile, County Executive Jack Johnson promised the department’s budget allotment would continue to grow into the next fiscal year, despite declining revenue. Since 2003, the department’s budget has grown by $100 million, he said. He also plans to hire another 150 officers this year, a policy he’s used each year to help grow the department from 1,000 officers to nearly 1,500 in the past five years.
And though High pointed to the department’s increased size as a reason why limiting overtime to officers only in “crisis moments” won’t have much effect, department sources disagree. Some sources in leadership positions have told The Examiner less overtime means fewer feet on the ground, and they’re just waiting to see crime start climbing as a result.
The only crime statistic to see growth in 2007 was homicides — up 5.3 percent from 2006, or seven deaths. High chalked that up to a bad start in 2007 that was brought under control during the rest of the year. The downward trend has continued into 2008. So far this year there have been eight homicides, compared to 14 in January 2007.
High wouldn’t comment specifically on what tactics the department employed to bring homicides under control, but Public Safety Director Vernon Herron said it was, in part, the product of improved relations with the community.
Herron said county officials have worked closely in the past year with area landlords, urging them to keep an eye out for crime and getting their help in shutting down several problematic nightclubs.
The department also continues its policy of never closing a case until someone has been arrested. The chief pointed to three arrests made this week in connection to crimes from years past. One of those arrests was Jamaal Garvin Alexis, 21, of Prince George’s County, on charges related to the October 2006 shooting death of Raymond “Scottie Beats” Brown, a well-known area music producer.
