I wanted to share with you some of the very informative information we received at Monday’s meeting. Formal minutes will be posted at a later date.
-Evan

Police Report

At Monday’s meeting of the South Silver Spring Neighborhood Association, residents had an open discussion about crime and safety with 3rd District Police Commander Betsy Davis, at which time she proclaimed, “I think you’re a safe neighborhood.”

Armed with crime statistics for the neighborhood detailing how many service calls are received about serious incidents in South Silver Spring during the last four months, Officer Joy Patil cited only one break-in attempt within a condominium.

The meeting was arranged so that many of the residents could be more informed as they debate increasing condo fees to include private security or concierge services within their own buildings. Some of those services range from $50,000 to more than $100,000 a year.

“I don’t think some of those measures are necessary for this area,” Cdr Davis said in reference to private security measures that can run tens of thousands of dollars a year. But she did say that investments should be made in security cameras and other preventative devices for individual apartments.

All four police officers that were present made clear that the most prevalent illegal activity in our neighborhood is auto theft from the Kennett Street garage: Hondas, Toyotas and Crown Victorias are favored by the criminals. Cdr Davis said that there are overtime officers who do patrol some of the area parking lots and that most of the theft is done in waves, from perpetrators coming in from other jurisdictions. We were all encouraged to use crime theft devices on our vehicles like “the club.”

Many questions were also raised about the safety of the Days Inn and Travelodge motels on 13th Street. Daniel Owusu, DC Regional Manager of Baywood Hotels, said his company’s properties do have private security on their premises from 6pm to 6am every day along with 24-hour security cameras monitoring the property.

Claiming to be the “victim” of some customers he called “undesirables,” Mr Owusu said that he is proactive in calling the police when motel managers become aware of possible prostitution or large partying taking place in the rooms. He also said that the motels “tried a system of profiling” to ensure a more law abiding clientele, but realized that approach does not abide by Maryland law.

Aside from incidents of car theft and occasional activity at the motels, Crd Davis says the neighborhood is on the up-and-up, compared to what it looked like when she first joined the police force 22 years ago. “This is an urban area and things do happen,” Davis candidly said.

Discussion then shifted to residents’ ideas for making the neighborhood even safer, which included: exploring the idea of a private security patrol for the entire neighborhood; having neighborhood social events to build trust and good relations among the community; and maintain good working relations with our neighbors in Shepherd Park. In response to those suggestions Davis replied, “You’re at the right step to prevent crime…You’re in the forefront.”

Pedestrian Safety

After the conversation with the police officers ended, conversation turned to pedestrian safety and Silver Spring’s ongoing redevelopment with Ben Stutz from Councilwoman Valerie Ervin’s office.

Since Councilwoman Ervin is a member of the Transportation and Environment Committee, residents attending the meeting were happy to give Mr Stutz the following laundry list of items where pedestrian safety needs to be improved:

• crosswalk at Newell St & Kennett St
• crosswalk at Kennett St & 13th St
• slow speed mechanism on 13th St
• crosswalk across East-West Highway leading to Arts Alley/Blair Mill Arts Center
• better traffic signals at 13th St and Georgia

Mr Stutz expressed displeasure by the lengthy time table that accompanies any requests for traffic changes, but noted that the key to getting projects approved quicker is by having a lot of written support by residents, condo boards and community associations.

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