Crime in Takoma Park, and particularly in Ward 6, increased during 2023 due to societal issues, drugs and changes in laws affecting juveniles, according to Police Chief Antonio DeVaul.
Several members of the police force and Ward 6 Councilmember Jason Small held a public safety community meeting Jan. 4 where they discussed crime and ways to deal with it.
Many of the crimes are what police referred to as crimes of availability and opportunity, meaning they are more likely to occur when doors are left unlocked or property is in plain view.
During 2023, police responded to 88 assaults, more than half of which were domestically related incidents. There were no homicides, and the number of rapes dropped from 3 in 2022 to 2 in 2023. But there were marked increases in robberies, shoplifting and other thefts.
The Langley-Hampshire business area was the scene of 36% of all crimes reported in the city, according to Misha Rowe, police crime analyst.
“As I am sure none of you are surprised, Walgreens was definitely at the top,” she said of crimes reported at the University Boulevard location in Ward 6.
The majority of crimes (51.6%) occur in Ward 6, which includes the 7400 to 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue, the 900 to 1300 block of University Boulevard and the 1300 block of Holton Lane.
Takoma Police has increased patrols in the area, parked police cars there and even staged their roll calls in Walgreens for deterrence.
Residents were urged to lock their cars and sheds, keep a copy of all serial numbers and purchase cameras and ID tags.
More than 70% of crimes in Takoma Park are by non-residents, Rowe said.
DeVaul talked about what he considered well-intended laws that protect juveniles and ensure parents and attorneys are with them during police questioning.
However, he said, attorneys advise their clients not to speak, and police can’t learn any information. “We can’t even talk to them anymore.”
Also, DeVaul said, “The vast majority of the youth that we arrest are not being steered toward programs that would assist them.”
“Every one of these crimes has a victim. These should be alarming t us. These numbers should be alarming,” DeVaul said.
Here is a video of the meeting from Takoma Park City TV.
