Proposed 2020 Prince George's County Transportation Priorities

(Click on the image for the draft letter)

• The County Council's Committee of the Whole's (COW) Jan. 28th discussion of the draft letter is here.
• The COW will meet at 11 AM on Monday, Feb. 3, to vote on the letter.
• The County Council will meet at 11:30 AM on Feb. 4, the vote on the letter.
• Note on page 9 of the letter (page 4 of the letter's attachment) MD 210 improvement is #2 priority.

AAA: Super Bowl LIV Fans Should Know the Playbook and The X’s and O’s of Getting Home Safely

(Click on the image for AAA's press release)

• “Nearly one-third (32%) of all U.S. traffic deaths on game day involve drunk drivers,”
• On a game day in 2018, a fan leaving a Washington football game at Fed Ex Field became involved in a violent rear-end collision on Indian Head Highway. That tragic incident claimed the lives of three young siblings; 5-year-old twins, Alexander and Rosalie Mejia, and their 13-month-old brother, Isaac Mejia. The impact left their parents severely injured. The 27-year-old driver of the striking vehicle pleaded guilty to “three counts of motor vehicle manslaughter and two counts of causing life threatening injuries while under the influence of alcohol.”
• Thomas Hawks, was subsequently sentenced to 22 consecutive years in prison.
• “It is a reminder that before the big game, football fans must call the plays in advance and have a plan in place to get home safely after a night of fandom, fun and festivities,” said John B.  Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Manager of Public and Government Affairs. “In a town known for having some of drunkest NFL fans around, it is imperative for everyone to have a game plan for staying safe. Designate a non-drinking driver, call a cab or arrange to stay with a friend before kicking off your Super Bowl Sunday celebrations!”

District VII Citizens Advisory Council Annual Report - 2019

(Click on the image for the report)

A Cop's View on Vision Zero - Everybody Needs to Look Out for Each Other

(Click on the image for MCPD Captain Tom Didone's plea)

This is from Montgomery County's Jan 27, 2020 announcement on Vision Zero. The entire announcement is here.

MD 210 Should Not Be a Casino

Prince George's County Had the Most Pedestrian and Bicyclist Deaths across the DMV Last Year

(Click on the image for Kevin Lewis' WJLA report)

• Despite common perception, Montgomery County did not have the most pedestrian and bicyclist deaths across the DMV last year.
• The uncoveted title went to Prince George's County, which recorded 23 pedestrian and bicyclist deaths in 2019. Montgomery County, by comparison, had 14. Montgomery has nearly 150,000 more residents than Prince George's.

You Can Be a "First Responder" Too

You are a "First Responder" if:

• You see something and say something
• You know hands only CPR
• You know how to stop the bleed
• You call for help for a friend or neighbor who needs help and can't call

Detectives Arrest 15 Suspects Connected to Vehicle Warm-Up Thefts

(Click on the image for the PGPD report)

In the past week, detectives with our Washington Area Vehicle Enforcement team arrested 15 people in connection with multiple vehicle warm-up thefts.
The suspects, both adult and juvenile, are linked to seven different cases. In addition to these arrests, the WAVE team also recovered 10 stolen cars – the vast majority were stolen when the owner left them running and unattended.
In the colder months, criminals are actively targeting vehicles left unattended in order to allow them to warm up. We recently released this video of a warm-up theft caught on a home surveillance system in Lewisdale.
“We know it’s cold outside and it’s not pleasant to get into a cold car - but unfortunately, thieves know this too. They are targeting victims who are warming up their cars and running back inside of their homes. Please never leave your vehicle running and unattended. We can’t stress that message enough,” said Acting Captain Jordan Swonger of our Special Investigation Division.
Anyone with information on any stolen vehicle case is asked to call 301-516-3788. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.

Lock Your Car - Thief Warns He'll Be Back

(Click on the image for Valerie Bonk's WTOP report)

Following a rash of recent car thefts — from both inside cars and a car itself — Bowie’s police chief is passing on a warning from the suspects.
Recently, a resident from Bowie reported activity on their Ring camera, which showed two people pulling on the door handles of a car in their driveway.
While that car was locked and nothing was taken, the two suspects were stopped by police in the area and were found to have stolen credit cards, wallets and cash, in addition to a car from Glenarden.
There was a common theme to the thefts — all of the cars were unlocked, police said.

Chief Stawinski Credits Community for Embracing Safety on MD 210

(Click on the image for Evan Lambert's Fox5 report)

3 people died on MD 210 last year - the lowest number in at least 6 years.
"These results show that we can make a change in our culture but enforcement is a piece of it but this community has embraced that message and so they get credit," said Stawinski.

Also reported by Neal Augenstein, WTOP.
John Townsend's AAA report is here.

Thieves Target Unlocked Cars

(Click on the image for Shomari Stone's News4 report)

Prince George’s County police are warning residents to lock their car doors and hide valuables.

NSA found a dangerous Microsoft software flaw - Update Windows 10 NOW!

(Click on the image for Ellen Nakashima's Washington Post report)

Read the report for details.

How Many Citations Are Needed to Slow Us Down?

In 2019 on MD 210:

• 10,649 Traffic Stops
• 22,616 Officer Issued Citations
• 68 DUI
• 7,877 Speed Camera Citations
• 30,493 Total Citations

Every time you get in your vehicle you are responsible for your conduct and the consequences that go with it. Please act responsibly.
It's about saving lives.

Suspects in Process of Stealing Vehicle Drag Officer Attempting to Stop Them

From http://pgpolice.blogspot.com/:
Detectives released surveillance video of the suspects we are actively searching for who dragged and injured a patrol officer this morning in Lewisdale. The officer had just interrupted the criminals who were trying to steal their third vehicle in less than one hour. All of the targeted vehicles were started by their owners to warm up and then left unattended.
On the video, two vehicles pull up in front of a home on Hannon Street at approximately 5:45 am. The first vehicle was stolen yesterday in the Kentland area. The second vehicle had been stolen in a warm-up theft approximately 10 minutes prior to this video from outside of a home on nearby Drexel Street. One suspect gets out of the driver’s seat of the first vehicle, briefly talks to a second suspect, and then steals the car left running in the driveway. The victim called police and a description of the stolen car was broadcast to officers and detectives in the area. Several minutes later, a patrol officer spotted the group attempting to steal another unattended, running vehicle on 23rd Avenue. The officer approached the suspect in the driver’s seat and attempted to take him into custody. Instead of complying, the suspect accelerated and dragged the officer a short distance before fleeing the scene in the stolen vehicle. The officer suffered minor injuries. 
We are again urging all residents to not leave their vehicles running and unattended. This is a crime of opportunity and against the law. We’ve received reports of 20 jump in thefts so far this year.
Anyone with information on these stolen vehicles or these investigations are asked to 301-516-3788. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.

Distracted Driver Does Not Stop After Nearly Killing Pedestrian in Crosswalk

(Click on the image for graphic video)

Warning, the video is disturbing!
The victim survived. Her report is here.

Status of Closing the MD 210 median at the Mall (near Ted's)

Per Peter Campanides, SHA:
"Step 1 has occurred which is striping out the median.  The maintenance shop is waiting for the quick curb to be delivered.  As soon as they anticipate the material to be delivered, a VMS will be back on display to inform of the anticipated date of the closure and will be up a week after the closure as a reminder.  I will keep you posted of the progress."