By Allison Klein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, January 22, 2006; C01
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.
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."