Johnson Announces Plan To Put More Police Officers On The Street

UPPER MARLBORO, MD - Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson announced today that the county will hire 900 police officers during the next six years.

Johnson said the county financial picture shows that 150 new officers can be hired each year during the next six years.  He said he will also propose raising the authorized strength of the police department higher than its current compliment of 1,420 officers.

"When I took office we had a shortage of officers that had accumulated over years," Johnson said.  "It took years to get to that point, and we are working to fix it immediately."

The announcement came at the same time as he and Police Chief Melvin High announced that Prince George's County Police Department will implement an overtime enforcement strategy effective immediately.

Johnson and High said that more officers will be placed on the streets immediately during critical times in an effort to combat and reduce violent crime.

"The primary mission of this police agency is to protect and serve the citizens of Prince George's County, and our officers are ready, willing and able to fulfill that mission," High stated.

Increased staffing will be available for all districts and it will be up to the District Commanders to deploy officers to known "hot spots."  All sworn officers have been asked to participate in the overtime assignment, but High said officers will be assigned on a mandatory basis if necessary.

With 150 officers being hired this fiscal year, the department's goal is to reach its 1,420 compliment of officers by July 2005. 

Despite the recent string of violent crime, Johnson reminded everyone that the county has made tremendous progress with crime reduction, a key component of his Livable Communities Initiative.

"We have not faltered from our vision and we have allocated the needed resources to fund our priorities," Johnson stated.

Community Policing initiatives have been established throughout the county in six districts and early reports have shown a dramatic drop in overall crime in two of those districts.

Johnson and High both remarked on the conclusion of the successful summer crime fighting initiative announced in June.  Project Safe Corridors, a partnership between Prince George's County Police and various municipal police departments, was a key contributor to the 3.7% drop in overall crime thus far this year.

High also stressed the importance of the community in reducing crime, saying there has been a tremendous response to the neighborhood watch grant program announced in August.

In addition to those efforts, Johnson said he will ask the general assembly to pass legislation to stop liquor stores from operating after midnight.  He also plans to work closely with the County Council to pass legislation regulating strip clubs within the county.

Johnson was quick to point out to citizens that while the county is in the best position its ever been in regarding crime, they cannot declare victory just yet, but must not lose their resolve because of the recent spike in violence.

"We must do what we have been doing, work harder and smarter, and stick to the plan that has begun to move crime numbers down in the right direction," Johnson said.  "Our vision for Prince George's County is one that builds on our strength.  Our strength resides in every community from one end of this county to the other."