WEEKLY BULLETIN | July 17, 2020
Virtual Q&A with Joshua Thomas
 
Join us on July 29th at 7:30 p.m. when we host a virtual Q&A with Prince George's County District 2 Board of Education representative Joshua Thomas. The discussion will include an assessment of the 2019/2020 school year along with plans for the upcoming school year. To join, please visit the link: https://zoom.us/j/97952972640 or dial-in at 301-715-8592. Sponsored by the City's Education Advisory Committee.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation

At the July 14th Mayor and Council Meeting, Resolution 20-R-18 was adopted. It is a friendly water use and pollution reduction competition between U.S. cities and is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National League of Cities. The City of College Park encourages its residents to take the Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation by making a series of online pledges at www.mywaterpledge.com to reduce their impact on the environment in August. To view the Resolution, visit https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2288/Mayors-Challenge-for-Water-Conservation.
Pepco Tree Line Clearance Work

Pepco tree line clearance work will begin soon in the City. For details, including a map of planned work locations, please visit https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=157 .
Code Enforcement Field Supervisor Position Available

The City is hiring! For details about our full-time Code Enforcement Field Supervisor position or to see other open positions, visit our website at https://collegeparkmd.applicantpool.com/jobs/ . Questions about this position may be directed to the City’s Human Resources Department at 240-487-3533.
COVID-19 Assistance Programs

In response to the crisis, the City has created programs to address resident, business, and non-profit organization needs. For more information visit the following:

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!

It is not too late to respond to the Census online at my2020census.gov or call 1-844-330-2020 for English or 1-844-468-2020 for Spanish. Congratulations to the Prince George’s County Public School students who were featured on NBC-4. See video link here for highlights: https://www.nbcwashington.com/community/prince-georges-students-support-2020-census-with-creative-psas/2362894/.
  
Can we count YOU in? Learn more at  www.collegeparkmd.gov/census2020  or contact the City's Department of Planning, Community & Economic Development at 240-487-3541.
BUSINESS & INDIVIDUAL GRANT STATISTICS
Total Applications Received :
Small Business Assistance Grants = 28
Individual & Family Financial Assistance Grants = 17

Total Approved :
Small Business Assistance Grants = $32,465
Individual & Family Financial Assistance Grants = $6,240
A WEEK IN REVIEW
Department of Public Works
In the Department of Public Works, 25 staff members attended the annual Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program Training. The remaining employees will be attending the final session next Friday July 24th.

At the July 14 th Mayor and Council Meeting the Department of Public Works received approval, and Council awarded a contract to WGCI Enterprises for construction of the Hollywood Dog Park.
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.
Tired of Being Bit by Mosquitoes in Your Yard? 
 
Would you like to trap and kill those pesky mosquitoes without harming bees or birds? There is a solution, and for a limited time, it's free. 
 
The City of College Park Committee for a Better Environment has purchased 48 GAT traps. These traps are designed to attract and capture mosquitoes without any toxic chemicals. They are used successfully throughout neighboring University Park.  
 
The Committee for a Better Environment would like to test the traps out in a few neighborhoods. They work best if they are deployed two per yard and several neighbors take part together. If you and four or five of your neighbors are interested in trying these traps out, the City will drop them off for free at your houses. In exchange, all we ask is that you take a short survey at the end of the summer letting us know if it was easy to use the traps and if they worked.
 
Contact Janet McCaslin at 240-487-3590 or [email protected] if you and several neighbors are interested in deploying GAT traps in your yards.
Noise and Nuisance Municipal Infractions
July 6 - July 12, 2020
There were no Municipal Infractions for the Noise or Nuisance (Unruly Social Gathering) Ordinances.
Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity
July 3 - July 9, 2020
7/3 Contract officers were on routine patrol in the downtown area of College Park when they were flagged down in reference to an indecent exposure incident. The victim advised they were walking by a sorority house when an individual approached the victim in their car and asked for directions. When the victim approached the vehicle, they observed the individual masturbating. The victim flagged down contract cars who in turn conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle matching the description. The individual was positively identified and arrested by contract officers.   

7/4 Contract officers responded to numerous calls for fireworks in the City. No serious incidents related to fireworks were reported.

7/5 Contract officers responded to the 9100 block of Baltimore Avenue with patrol in reference to a death investigation. Further investigation showed the decedent was shot and the incident was a homicide. The decedent was left in the hotel room with her two children who were unharmed. Multiple contract officers responded to assist with crime scene security, witness identification, and article searches at the request of the Criminal Investigation Division, Homicide Unit. Contract officer was first on scene of the incident and secured the scene until additional officers responded.

7/7 Contract officers on routine patrol observed approximately 100 cars in the parking lots in the 10000 block of Baltimore Avenue. Backup was summoned from other contract officers and the group was sent on their way without incident. 

7/7 Contract officers were first on scene of a reported citizen robbery involving a UMD Student. The victim advised they were approached by an unknown male and female in a car. The male exited the car, produced a handgun, and forced the victim into the car. The victim was then forced to withdrawal money from the ATM. Contract officers assisted with the canvass for the suspects. 

7/8 Contract officers on duty responded to and assisted with a vehicle pursuit. 4 commercial robberies were reported on Annapolis Road in the Landover Hills area. Patrol officers located the vehicle and a pursuit began. The pursuit entered the city of College Park when contract officers became involved. The pursuit ended on the BW parkway and Powder Mill Road with 4 apprehensions. 

There were several premise checks conducted throughout the City.
Statistical Data and Issued:
MD State Citations: 0
Warnings: 3
Equipment Repair Orders: 0
Distracted Driving Citations: 0
Parking Citations: 0
Field Observation Report: 1
Youth Field Observation Report: 0
Citations in Lieu of Arrest: 0
Civil Citation: 0
Criminal Arrests: 1
DWS Arrest: 0
DWI Arrest: 0
Warrant Arrest: 0
Premise Checks: 24
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 May 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
Virtual Q&A with Joshua Thomas
 
Join us on July 29th at 7:30 p.m. when we host a virtual Q&A with Prince George's County District 2 Board of Education representative Joshua Thomas. The discussion will include an assessment of the 2019/2020 school year along with plans for the upcoming school year. To join, please visit the link: https://zoom.us/j/97952972640 or dial-in at 301-715-8592. Sponsored by the City's Education Advisory Committee.
College Park Day Cancellation
 
We regret to announce the cancellation of the City’s annual College Park Day scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2020 due to COVID-19 and Prince George’s County Executive Alsobrooks’ executive order prohibiting events and large gatherings of 100 people or more. The health and safety of our residents are what’s most important to us as we continue to monitor the situation.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Community Meetings
Note: These are not City meetings but have City staff or Contract Police as a host.
District 1 Coffee Club:
Conference Call (every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.)
Dial-in number: (978) 990-5399
Access code: 8911108

Community Police Meeting: TBD
Office of the City Manager | 240.487.3501 | [email protected] | collegeparkmd.gov