Homicides in Prince George’s County are at a three-year high and are on pace to exceed 100 killings for the first time since 2008. There have been 52 homicides in the county so far this year — including a rash of deaths in the first two weeks of the year — up from 44 through June 2010 and 43 through June 2009.
The most recent slayings include Marquis Emmanuel Davis, a 16-year-old Clinton resident found shot on John Paul Jones Avenue in Fort Washington, and Anton DeMichael Agurs, 43, of Capitol Heights, who was found shot on June 7 in Oxon Hill.
While crime is down 5.4 percent overall, including significant dips in violent crimes and robberies, Police Chief Mark Magaw said he knows his department will be judged on the high number of homicides that have plagued the county this year.
| Homicides climbing | |||
| Through June | Total | ||
| 2011 | 52 | NA | |
| 2010 | 44 | 90 | |
| 2009 | 43 | 92 | |
| 2008 | 67 | 117 | |
“The true sense of how well we’re doing is the sense of fear,” Magaw said.
The last time homicides occurred at such a high rate was in 2008, when there were 117 slayings.
Other crimes, such as sexual assault, robbery and carjacking, are all dropping this year and are hitting four-year lows.
However, the heat of summer typically brings another crime spike to the region.
“When the weather warms up, we know our workload is going to increase,” said Wesley Adams, chief of homicides for the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Office.
Prince George’s police have begun a summer crime initiative by stepping up law enforcement in five high-risk neighborhoods: Langley Park, Riverdale, Suitland, Hillcrest Heights and Glassmanor.
Police are also making a show of force with neighborhood walks, such as one in Laurel on Wednesday evening. Police from the district offered crime prevention tips and pamphlets to residents.
“It’s important for the community to understand that we’re in this together. We’re here for you all day and all night,” Magaw said.
