Frustration and Fear Boil Up in Pr. George's

Hundreds of Prince George's residents packed an Upper Marlboro church yesterday to warn county officials that they are fed up with increasing crime and want some relief.

"We are pushing not because we are antagonizing, but because we are terrified," said the Rev. C. Anthony Muse, one of the organizers of the meeting.

In 2005, Prince George's tallied 173 homicides, a record for the county. Additionally, sexual assaults increased by 3 percent, robberies by 24 percent and carjackings by 45 percent from the previous year.

Residents and a few county officials painted a grim picture of some streets and school halls, where criminals and unruly teens often have more control than law enforcement and principals.

"If you walk into almost any school, you will see things that shock you," said State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey, a panel member at the forum. "You've got kids cussing each other out, parents cussing out teachers, teachers are getting stay-away orders for parents."

The "War on Crime" countywide town hall meeting was held at the Riverdale Baptist Church. Many in the crowd, estimated at 1,000 by the organizers, had been touched personally by crime.

Steven Martin's Dodge Caravan was stolen in December, Bruce and Janet Eberhardt's home was broken into and Mary Gordon's sister's car was burglarized in front of the home they share.

"The statistics are pretty alarming," said Gordon, 48, who lives in Upper Marlboro.

Janet Eberhardt, who with her husband has lived in the county since 1977, bought pepper spray two weeks ago because she was uneasy.

"I don't let it keep me from doing things, but I get nervous sometimes going to my car," she said. Their grown children and most of their friends have moved from the county.

Even Muse's church, Ark of Safety Christian Church, has been burglarized, he said. Muse also is head of Clergy United, which organized the event, along with the Greater Prince George's Business Roundtable, headed by M.H. Jim Estepp, a former County Council member.

County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) and Police Chief Melvin C. High were invited but did not attend. Estepp and Muse were political rivals of Johnson's when he ran for county executive in 2002.