WEEKLY BULLETIN | April 17, 2020
ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Updates During COVID-19

Please visit the City's dedicated COVID-19 website for all the latest information about the City's response and local resources during the pandemic.

The website is updated frequently, so please check often.
Count Me in College Park!

According to the 2020 Census  hard to count map , both the College Park area and Prince George’s County, had low response rates during the 2010 Census. Certain local populations have also been identified as hard-to-count, including college students, foreign-born residents and low-income households. College Park’s response rate as of April 16 is 35%. We need your help to urge all College Park residents to respond to the Census to ensure our community receives vital funding. 
 
For more information, click collegeparkmd.gov/census2020 or call the Planning Department at 240-487-3541.
Pepco and Energy Assistance Programs
From Pepco:

Pepco is suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges at least until May 1 and will be working with customers on a case-by-case basis to establish payment arrangements and identify energy assistance options. Customers wishing to contact Pepco a nd enter into an installment plan can call them at 202-833-7500 and follow the prompts below on their automated system, or visit their website at www.pepco.com .

More information on Pepco's services during the pandemic as well as Energy Assistance Programs for Maryland/Prince George's County residents can be found here: https://www.pepco.com/SafetyCommunity/Safety/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
Resource Directory of Essential Businesses Open
To see which College Park businesses are open, please visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/covid19#openbusinesses . The list is continually updated.

If you are a business that needs to update their information, please email [email protected] .
Washington Gas Project

Washington Gas Maryland STRIDE Accelerated Replacement Program Project at Paducah Road and St. Andrews Place to start this April. Click the image for details.
Purple Line Construction Updates
Beginning on or about April 20, 2020, the Purple Line will close a segment of Campus Drive between the Paint Branch Trail and River Road for construction. The closure will be in effect for approximately 15 weeks. The detour can be viewed here:  https://plmdnews.com/v03 .

Beginning on April 20, 2020, the Purple Line will implement a traffic shift on Baltimore Avenue at the intersection of Rossborough Lane for construction. One lane will remain open in each direction. The shift will be in effect for approximately one month. The detour can be viewed here: https://plmdnews.com/zne .

For all Purple Line updates, please visit www.purplelinemd.com/construction/construction-updates .
Maryland Department of Transportation / Maryland Transit Administration Purple Line Construction Project

Buses will be temporarily relocated due to Maryland Department of Transportation / Maryland Transit Administration Purple Line construction on Campus Drive effective Monday, April 20, 2020. This will effect buses on River Road and on the Westside of the College Park-U of MD station. Click the image for details.
Prince George's Police Department Taking Non-Violent Crime Reports Over the Phone
In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and in an effort to allow for increased social distancing between officers and civilians, the Prince George’s County Police Department has begin taking specific reports over the phone rather than in person. This new effort will only impact calls for non-violent crimes.
 
When we move into this new phase on Monday, those wishing to report a crime should still call 911 as usual. The call taker will ask for information, to include the caller’s phone number. In those cases where a report needs to be written, a member of the Prince George’s County Police Department will call back and take the report over the phone. This applies primarily to property crimes where a suspect is no longer on the scene. Again, this does not apply to violent crimes. The telephone reporting initiative will run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until further notice. Detectives will still investigate reported crimes as usual.
 
The Prince George’s County Police Department remains committed to serving and protecting those in our County as we all work together to navigate this rapidly-evolving pandemic. We will continue to update the community as warranted in the coming days and weeks. Please stay safe and know we are here if you need us.
A WEEK IN REVIEW
Department of Public Works
Ongoing repairs of the College Park Animal Shelter continued this week.

The Department will resume with limited residential curbside brush collection starting next Thursday, April 23rd. Residents should call the Department of Public Works at (240) 487-3590 to schedule Woody Yard Waste and Brush Collection.

The Department has set up a temporary setup of a truck container continues for City residents to bring up to 3-items of bulk trash at their facility during business hours.

Landscaping Crews began the first tree and perennial planting of the 2020 Spring Season at various locations throughout the City.

The Department repaired wood fence at Crystal Springs Fit Lot.
For any information related to refuse, recycling, or other Public Works related items, contact the Department at: 240-487-3590 or

The Department is located at 9217 51st Ave. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Help Protect our Department of Public Works Crew from COVID-19

Follow these steps when putting out your trash and recycling:
  • Maintain social distance
  • Carefully bag all waste
  • Keep recyclables loose
  • Put all bags and recycling into carts
  • No plastic bags or tissues in recycling
  • No medical sharps or syringes in recycling
  • If needed, rinse containers. Make sure all containers are empty and dry
  • Wipe down your carts, especially handles and lids, once you placed them on the curb
  • Put carts out on time and retrieve carts quickly
(Graphic by the National Waste & Recycling Association)
Noise and Nuisance Municipal Infractions
April 6 - April 12, 2020
There were no Municipal Infractions issued for the Noise or Nuisance (Unruly Social Gathering) Ordinances.
Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity
April 3 - April 9, 2020
4/3 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue. 95 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

4/3 Contract officers responded to a call for service in the 4600 block of Norwich Road for persons violating the Maryland Governor’s Order 20-03-30-01 prohibiting large gatherings and events. The attendees were advised of the order as to protect the public health and prevent the transmission of the novel coronavirus and control the spread of COVID-19.

4/3 Contract officers responded to a call for service in the 7300 block of Princeton Avenue for persons (20) violating the Maryland Governor’s Order 20-03-30-01 prohibiting large gatherings and events. The attendees were advised of the order as to protect the public health and prevent the transmission of the novel coronavirus and control the spread of COVID-19.

4/3 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue. 13 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

4/4 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue. 17 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

4/4 Contract officers responded to a call for service for the attempted theft of several vehicles in the 4800 block of Delaware Street. A suspect was identified, and a warrant will be obtained.
4/6 Contract officers responded to a call for service in the 10000 block of Baltimore Avenue, for a large group of motorcycles on the lot. Sent on their way.

4/7 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue. 15 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

4/8 Contract officer on routine patrol discovered a male sleeping in the elevator of the parking garage. He was identified and “barred” from the property.

4/8 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue. 83 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

4/9 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue. 9 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”

4/9 Contract officers responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 4300 Block of Cherry Hill Road. Contract officers assisted with the crime scene which extended into the City’s jurisdiction.

4/9 Contract officers responded to a call for service in the 8800 block of Baltimore Avenue for persons violating the Maryland Governor’s Order 20-03-30-01 prohibiting large gatherings and events. The employees were advised of the order as to protect the public health and prevent the transmission of the novel coronavirus and control the spread of COVID-19.

4/9 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Speed Enforcement) in the 9000 block of Baltimore Avenue. 25 citations were issued as the officer was operating the portable “Mobile Camera.”
There were several premise checks conducted throughout the City.
Statistical Data and Issued:
MD State Citations:9
Warnings:15
Equipment Repair Orders: 0
Distracted Driving Citations: 0
Parking Citations: 0
Field Observation Report: 0
Youth Field Observation Report: 0
Citations in Lieu of Arrest:0
Civil Citation: 0
Criminal Arrests: 0
DWS Arrest: 0
DWI Arrest: 0
Warrant Arrest: 0
Premise Checks: 10
Referral Student Code of Conduct: 0
Downtown Area Pedestrian Warnings: 0
Downtown Area Pedestrian Citations: 0
Berwyn-Lakeland Pedestrian Warnings: 0
Berwyn-Lakeland Pedestrian Citations: 0
North College Park Pedestrian Warnings: 0
North College Park Pedestrian Citations: 0
Monthly Public Safety Maps
The January maps are now available. For monthly Prince George's County Police public safety maps and statistical data for the City of College Park, visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/publicsafety .
CITY EVENTS AND RECREATION
Parks and Playgrounds

All City playgrounds, tot lots and fit lots are closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. When using trails or other outdoor spaces, please make sure to follow social distancing guidelines.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Community Meetings
Note: These are not City meetings but have City staff or Contract Police as a host.
District 1 Coffee Club: TBD
Community Police Meeting: TBD
Office of the City Manager | 240.487.3501 | [email protected] | collegeparkmd.gov