Protecting Pedestrians: Montgomery, Prince George's Use Several Measures to Increase Safety

Using red light and speed cameras, targeted stings and other methods, police departments and municipalities hope to prevent pedestrian-related accidents, after a number of fatalities.

Pedestrian-related accidents have seen an unfortunate increase recently, particularly in Montgomery County. There have been 14 pedestrian accidents just this year, five of which resulted in fatalities.  There was even one incident in Bethesda where a car struck an infant in a stroller being pushed across a crosswalk. “We, the parents of students attending Bethesda Elementary School, are horrified by the number of traffic accidents and near-accidents in and around downtown Bethesda,” said an online petition launched by Bethesda elementary school parents. “The safety of this walkable haven is at risk.” While there haven’t been as many pedestrian-related deaths in Prince George’s County this year, College Park officials recognize that …

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Costco Gas Man

3:06 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013

According to the Md. DMV pedestrians are at fault 70% of the time.   more ›

Surveillance Video Shows Office Burglars in Silver Spring

The commercial burglaries were reported to police on April 30, May 2 and May 8.

Nine suspects are thought to be involved in three burglaries that occurred in the same Silver Spring office building in a little more than a week's time, according to a statement from Montgomery County police. Surveillance videos show the burglars inside the office building at 817 Silver Spring Avenue, where two of the burglaries appear to have occurred overnight from April 29 to April 30. The third appeared to have taken place overnight from May 7 to May 8, according to police. These are the three businesses that reported the burglaries to police: Police say they are not sure how the suspects entered the building, but they are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying those involved: Anyone with information regarding the identity …

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UPDATE: Missing Silver Spring Teen Daniel Juwan Howard Found

The 17-year-old has returned home safely, police said.

UPDATE, May 14: Daniel Juwan Howard, 17, of the 1300 block of Wembrough Court in Silver Spring, has returned home safely, after having been missing since Friday, according to a statement from Montgomery County police.

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Plainclothes Police to Conduct 'Pedestrian Sting' Series

Montgomery County police say drivers aren't yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks.

A cluster of Montgomery County police officers will give their traditional blue uniforms a rest this month, donning plainclothes to conduct a series of "pedestrian stings" at high-traffic intersections and ticket drivers who refuse to yield, said Capt. Thomas Didone, director of the traffic division.  This year, police have received complaints that drivers aren't properly yielding to pedestrians at certain intersections. Moreover, investigators are finding that more pedestrian incidents have been the driver's fault.  Officers would typically attempt to enforce that kind of law by driving around a high-traffic area and looking for drivers not following the rules, said Didone. That's not very efficient, he said.  Instead, police will pose as…

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Question B Behind Boycott of Local Democratic Party Ball

Supporters of organized labor say the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee took the wrong position on a controversial measure to limit collective bargaining for local police.

The drama and protest surrounding a two-year-old Montgomery County law that inhibits the power of county police leaders to negotiate decisions that affect rank-and-file officers seem ceaseless.  Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (D) are joining labor unions in a protest and picketing of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee's Spring Ball on May 11. The unions are upset with the committee's decision to support Question B last November, which put the county law on 2012's ballot for voters to decide. (The law was affirmed, easily.) Brown, a native of Prince George's County, is expected to announce his candidacy for governor May 10.  "The committee took this position despite being asked to remain neutral …

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UPDATE: Silver Spring Postal Worker Sexually Assaulted During Lunch Break

Police are searching for the suspect, who was reportedly armed with a knife.

Update, May 3, 12:20 p.m. Montgomery County police are still searching for the man who sexually assaulted a 21-year-old postal employee in Silver Spring during her lunch break Thursday afternoon. The postal worker was walking in the neighborhood behind the U.S. Post Office located at 110 University Boulevard West in the Four Corners area of Silver Spring when the man approached her and showed a knife, police said. He forced her into the backyard of a nearby home, and after sexually assaulting her, fled from the area, police said in the statement. According to police, the suspect is described as a black male, 5-foot-6-inches tall, with a medium build. He had gray and black facial hair and had several missing or broken teeth.  No further …

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UPDATE: Suspicious Package at Silver Spring Bus Stop Ruled Non-Hazardous

Roads closed for the investigation have reopened, according to Montgomery County police.

Update, 12:20 p.m. The suspicious package found in Silver Spring was investigated and "deemed non-hazardous by the Fire Marshall's Office," Officer Joy Patil said in an email. The roads have been reopened, she added. Original story, 11:27 a.m. A suspicious package has been found at a bus stop in downtown Silver Spring near the Discovery building, according to Montgomery County police. Wayne Avenue is closed to all traffic (including pedestrians) between Georgia Avenue and Ramsey Avenue. Nearby buildings are being evacuated as a precaution, Officer Joy Patil said in an email. Metro and Ride On services are continuing.

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Police Stations to Collect Old Prescription Drugs Saturday

Eleven police stations throughout the county will participate in the national Drug Take Back Day.

For the sixth year in a row, 11 state, county and city police stations in Montgomery County will participate in the national initiative to properly dispose of leftover prescriptions. Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., drop your old prescriptions off at all six Montgomery County police district stations plus municipal police stations in Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, Rockville and Takoma Park and a state police station in the county. Illegal drugs and needles are not accepted. Drop-offs are anonymous.  Here are the addresses:  If you can't or don't want to take old medicines to the police, the division of solid waste services offers the following tips for disposing of them: 

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Map: Montgomery County Crime, April 1-9

The following incidents were provided by Montgomery County Police. Arrests do not indicate conviction. This is not an all-encompassing list. Please click on map markers—color-coded by district—to read about the incidents.

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Police: Operation NINJA Tickets 206 Seatbelt Offenders in One Night

Police perched on exit ramps on I-270 and I-495 last week targeted safety belt use.

Last week police NINJAs were on the prowl, ready to ticket motorists who weren’t wearing their seatbelts. NINJA—which means Nighttime Injury Avoidance—is a campaign to enforce seatbelt use at night. It’s a collaborative effort among several police agencies: Montgomery County Police, Gaithersburg Police, Rockville City Police, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police. Officers were located on exit ramps on Interstate 270 and Interstate 495 to catch seatbelt offenders between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Friday, April 5.  According to the Montgomery County Police Department’s official blog, Operation NINJA wielded the following results:

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