Summer Crime Increase Worries Residents

It's only the middle of summer, but University Park has already had 52 incidents of crime as of July 1. With a town population of more than 2,300 residents, and no commercial businesses within town limits, many crimes have occurred in residents' homes and to residents themselves when they were walking in the town's parks. Last year by the same time there had only been 33 criminal incidents.

In response to residents' concerns, University Park Police Chief Michael Wynnyk created a public safety forum where residents could discuss their concerns with not only Wynnyk and council members but with one another as well.

In 2005, the town recorded 101 crimes, the highest in the five-year period of data released by the police department. The crimes recorded then were mostly property taken from inside vehicles, but recently the crimes have been assaults and home burglaries.

According to statistics compiled by the University Park Police Department, in five years, the average is 86 incidents crimes a years, the lowest being in 2007, when only 74 crimes occurred.

Mayor John Tabori said there are two things he believes are pushing up crime in Prince George's County.

"A lot of individuals are unemployed and don't have a means for income," Tabori said. "There are specific groups of individuals working together in gangs to commit crimes targeting the area."

Tabori said the other reason some residents may be concerned is that Prince George's County has a higher crime rate than other counties with similar amounts of suburban areas, like Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties. Yet, Prince George's County Police released data Wednesday showing that overall the county's crime has gone down by 6.7 percent.

The public safety forums, which began in July, have allowed residents to share their issues and concerns with one another. Although the first meeting had a large audience of about 30 residents, the last only had 10.

Wynnyk said the areas impacted the most have been on the south and and west borders, however no specific area is targeted.

One resident, Bruce Burrows, said his property along East-West Highway seems to be the target of a lot of burglaries.

"There's always people walking around the area," Burrows said. "People keep moving in and out, so it's hard for me to know my neighbors."

Wynnyk suggested tips on how to prevent crimes from occurring in homes, like trimming bushes around windows, knowing your neighbors and being aware that fences allow for privacy for both residents and burglars.

"People should take pictures of their valuables, so that if they are a victim of a robbery, we know what the stolen items look like and they can be recovered," he said.

Wynnyk also suggested people store their laptops and electronics away and turn off their wireless signals when they leave for vacation.

"The problem can be resolved with community involvement by vigilant neighbors," he said, "and immediately contacting police when they suspect suspicious activity."

He hopes that more residents will come to the next forum on Aug. 3 at University Park Elementary School at 6:30 pm. Wynnyk said food will be provided.