Frustration and Fear Boil Up in Pr. George's

Police spokeswoman Sharon Taylor said Johnson and High had commitments they could not break. High sent police Inspector General Mark K. Spencer to represent the agency. Johnson did not send a representative.

Muse said he believes Johnson was unwilling to face the community and address the issue of violence. "They think if they duck the event, people will forget and vote for them anyway," Muse said. Johnson is up for reelection this year.

Muse said he was encouraged by the large turnout but disappointed that some county leaders, including judges, did not show.

"Crime is the issue," Muse said. "If you're not safe, you can't have quality schools; businesses won't relocate here."

Estepp said the business community is "extremely concerned" about companies avoiding Prince George's out of fear. "We want this to be a catalyst to energize citizens," Estepp said. "And we want our elected officials to take responsibility for finding solutions."

Several officials did attend, including Ivey; Beatrice P. Tignor, chairman of the school board; and County Council Chairman Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Laurel).

Also in attendance were Del. Joseph F. Vallario Jr. (D-Prince George's), former county executive Wayne K. Curry (D), County Council member Samuel H. Dean (D-Mitchellville) and several town mayors.

Spencer said police have a solid crime-fighting plan for this year, which includes hiring more officers. Johnson has pledged to hire 150 recruits every year for the next five years.

Most of the questions asked by audience members dealt with crime or schools, and several addressed both. Ivey said something must be done to regain control in schools.

"I've got teachers calling me saying, 'My car keeps getting stolen from the parking lot. Can you help me?' " Ivey said.

He said one solution would be to place student advisers in schools to act as adult authority figures while teachers are busy with classes and principals are running the schools.

Tignor said the school board has requested additional peer mediators in schools and has tightened the student code of conduct, which now extends to school buses. Spencer said police will arrest any student who brings a weapon to school.

Dernoga added that the county is putting $125 million into school renovations over the next three years. One of the problems, he said, is that schools are crowded as soon as they open.

Another problem discussed was stolen cars. Although the number of car thefts dipped last year, more cars are stolen in Prince George's than any jurisdiction in the state. Ivey said many of the thefts are committed by teenagers. He said he advocates putting young people in jail the first time they are caught stealing a car, a policy he said is controversial in the courthouse.

He said he came to this conclusion after speaking with the senior class at Largo High School. He asked the students whether they knew anyone who had stolen a car.

"Every hand went up," Ivey said.

The organizers of yesterday's event have scheduled a follow-up meeting for Feb. 25.

"This is not the end," Muse said. "This is the beginning of a citizen movement."