The county is hosting a crime forum on November 28 at Bowie State University to tackle rising crime, especially among juveniles, and discuss how we can work together to make our community safer.
Here are the highlights:
- The county is hosting a crime forum on November 28 at Bowie State University.
- Local police and officials will discuss efforts to combat juvenile crime.
- The forum follows an incident at Bowie High School involving a student with a loaded handgun.
- There has been an increase in property crime, particularly car thefts, with younger perpetrators.
- Police face recruitment shortages, with academy attendance down 90% post-pandemic.
- Former Police Chief John Nesky highlighted that residents often do not lock their car doors, attracting criminals.
- New state laws hinder questioning of juvenile suspects, complicating investigations.
- The forum will cover crime data, legislative solutions, and connect residents with police.
- The event is organized by Council Member Ingrid Watson.
Stay informed
Sign up for my newsletter and join more than 3,500 of your Bowie neighbors getting regular updates directly from Mayor Mike.
County Hosting Local Crime Forum
The county is hosting a forum on crime on Tuesday, November 28 at 6:00pm at Bowie State University's Student Center Ballroom.
Local police as well as state and county officials will discuss area crime, with a focus on efforts to combat juvenile crime.
The event comes following an incident at Bowie High School last week when a student was stopped and arrested attempting to bring a loaded handgun into the school.
Over the past two years, there has been a noted increase in property crime, especially car thefts. Perpetrators have increasingly trended younger, with juveniles often behind attempts to break into vehicles.
Bowie Police have repeatedly cited recruitment shortages as their biggest challenge, followed by a need for more common sense precautions from citizens.
"Criminals tell us they come here because Bowie residents have nice stuff and don't lock their car doors," said former Police Chief John Nesky at his last meeting with the City Council.
"We've made ourselves a magnet for crews that know they can spend a few hours pulling car door handles and score an I-phone, tablet, or laptop, sometimes even the keys to the car," said Nesky.
Recruitment shortages have exacerbated the problem. Area police academy attendance was down 90% following the pandemic, and more and more Bowie police are reaching retirement age, creating a perfect storm of perennial shortages.
"We have to start taking more precautions at the citizen level to help deter this nuisance crime."
Another challenge is recent state law under which juvenile suspects cannot be questioned by law enforcement without an attorney present. Attorneys rarely allow clients to speak to law enforcement at all when they are suspected of a crime.
Following the firearm incident at Bowie High School, Police Chief Preston stated, “We were not able to ask [the suspect] any questions about why he had the weapon, what his intentions were, where he got the weapon."
Police have cited the law as a hindrance in curbing juvenile crime, making it almost impossible to glean valuable information from suspects early on. The result is delayed investigations and a greater sense of invulnerability by young offenders.
The forum will discuss crime data, potential legislative solutions, and connect residents with local police officials.
The Tuesday forum is being organized by Prince George's County Council Member Ingrid Watson. For questions, contact baarchie@co.pg.md.us.