Pr. George's Reports First-Quarter Crime Drop

High said the crime-fighting strategy will be adjusted in the summer months, because warm weather traditionally brings more crime both locally and across the country.

Assistant Chief Roberto Hylton, head of patrol services, said investigators have been focused on targeting suspicious people walking in neighborhoods and driving in cars.

"If you come to Prince George's County to commit a crime, we're going to arrest you," Hylton said.

High pointed to some important case closures this year, including the case of several teenagers who were kidnapped and forced to rob suburban Maryland banks.

Detectives also closed the case of two women in their seventies who were slain in a Suitland flower shop in 2003. Police say a DNA match led investigators to Adam I. Neal, 24, who was in prison.

Elsie Jacobs, president of the Suitland Civic Association, said that arrest was very important to the community. She also said yesterday that she has noticed less criminal activity in Suitland.

"Crime is down in Suitland, it really is," Jacobs said. "At one time we had a whole lot of people getting killed. We haven't had any homicides this year. People are happy. The chief has worked through this thing. I think they have finally figured it out."

This year, the homicide unit has closed 84 percent of its cases, compared with 70 percent at this time last year. The robbery closure rate is 43 percent, compared with 10 percent during the first quarter of 2005.

Crime has long been a major issue in the county, with the numbers swelling from 2000 to 2005. During that time, robbery and car thefts each rose by 76 percent, and carjacking jumped by 175 percent.