County Crime Down at Mid-Year

Although University Park has seen an increase in crime this year, Prince George's County Police announced Thursday that the county's crime rate had dropped 6.3 percent as of July 1.

County Police Chief Roberto L. Hylton said overall there was an 11.7 percent decrease in violent crimes and homicides were down 14 percent in comparison with the same period for 2009.

Hylton also said there was a 5.3 percent decease in property crime and forceable rapes were down by 10.8 percent, while robberies have also shown an overall decrease of 18.3 percent.

"Our police department coupled with the community, key stakeholders such as Crime Solvers, the media and commercial business owners, has continued this sustainable reduction in crime," he said Thursday at a press conference. "Because of these partnerships, crime continues to be driven down and the quality of life here in Prince George's County continues to improve."

County Executive Jack Johnson, who attended the press conference, also credited the cooperation between various groups as the cause for the lower crime rates.

Although crime is down in what is deemed county property, the numbers cited by Hylton do not include municipalities such as University Park and Riverdale Park.

Officer Larry Johnson, spokesman for the Prince George's County Police Department, said he did not know the crime rate numbers for the towns.

In University Park, Chief Michael Wynnyk has responded to the increase in burglaries and property crime with a series of public safety forums.