During the past decade, crime slowly destroyed the reputation of our community. In 2005, Prince George’s County saw its deadliest year in history, with 169 murders. Other violent crimes such as rape and car-jacking still negatively impact our county's image and create obstacles for our goals of a robust economy and thriving schools. Despite the record declines in 2009, we saw disturbing trends in domestic violence and home invasions. The perception of crime in Prince George's County still cost us opportunities; therefore, we must do more.
We must prepare for our expanding demographics and the population of offenders scheduled for release back into our community, or they will reverse the gains of 2009. Rushern Baker is prepared to tackle these challenges and create a safer community for Prince George’s County residents through a comprehensive enhancement of our current public safety system including The County Police, Fire, EMS, Deputy Sheriffs, and our local police.
Under a Baker Administration, our deployment of officers will be equal to the time and place where they are needed. Currently, 70 percent of the crimes committed in the county are between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Yet, the majority of our officers work during the day, many in desk jobs. As County Executive, Rushern Baker will evaluate our staffing policies so that overtime cost won’t threaten the county's financial viability, while seeking ways to improve the quality of life for both residents and officers.
We also need expanded community policing to give our officers a chance to truly weave into the fabric of our neighborhoods. Assigning officers to communities for the long run is a first step we can take, with little to no budget implications.
We need to aggressively enforce the law and prosecute the guilty so that all those looking for a safe and growing community to raise children or start a business know that crime will not be tolerated in Prince George's County, especially violent crime. Companies want to go where the streets are safe and the schools are first rate. Rushern Baker knows this, because of his years in community development and education. Not only do we need to lower crime, we need to do so at a faster rate than our neighbors in the region.
Rushern Baker will support our police and sheriff's department personnel by giving them an executive that backs competent enforcement of the law with the intent of exponentially raising our quality of life. Under Rushern Baker's leadership, the Chief of Police will run his department free of politics and statistical game-playing. The goal remains secure streets, not secure political careers. Baker will give the chief the authority to make it happen.
Key Elements to Creating a More Robust Police Force:
- Improve response times and coverage using improved technology and better resource management;
- Analyze police pay and benefits to attract and retain the best officers and encourage them to become residents of the county;
- Plan a technological overhaul of all tracking and communications systems;
- Focus Hot Spot Squads on areas that are not only experiencing high crimes, but those where data indicates the potential for growth in crime is present;
- Work with state and county detention facilities to better manage the flow of former inmates into the fabric of County life, by making sure each is ready to contribute in a positive way;
- Increase authority for Police Civilian Review Boards;
- Hold the Police Chief
accountable for improved quality of life in the neighborhoods, not just statistics.
The Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services:
As County Executive, Rushern Baker will prioritize public safety as it is one of the most sacred responsibilities of any government to its citizens. He will make certain that our Fire and EMS Department serves as a model department for the state and nation by:
- Hiring and supporting a Fire Chief that will efficiently and effectively manage the operations of the Fire and EMS Service;
- Insisting and maintaining a professional workforce for management, career and volunteer facets of the Fire and EMS Service;
- Ensuring that the safety our brave men and women of the Fire and EMS Service are not jeopardized by understaffing;
- Working to ensure that the county’s budget is not balanced on the back of our public safety workforce, under a Baker Administration, Public Safety employees will not be subject to furloughs or RIFs;
Emergency Prepardness and Homeland Security:
Ensuring professional management whose chain of command makes decisions in the best interest of the public in order to provide the most efficient operation of the Fire and EMS offers the taxpayers what they pay for, deserve, and expect. Yet, we live in the shadow of Washington, D.C. and our Emergency Prepardness and Homeland Security Operations, must be of the first rank.
- We must make sure we secure all state and federal funding for emergency response and security;
- We must enhance our communication and technological infrastructure for superior coordination during a time of crisis;
- We must educate the public, especially those using public transportation on our evacuation, communication, and shelter plans.
As County Executive, Rushern Baker understands we must remain forward thinking. Coordination between all the departments impacting our public safety will help Prince Georgians where they depend on their government most. |
