Murder Rate down significantly in PG County (Bowie: high crime, house)

[justtitans]

So far this year Prince George's County is experiencing a huge drop in the murder rate and it has gotten little to no attention from the media. As of right now the murder rate is 10, which was reached in the middle of January last year, and was approximately 28 around this time last year. It is certainly good news, but I'm very curious as to what can be contributed to the change. There have been a few things that have gone on:

For starters, Rushern Baker has made an effort to hire more police. There is an effort in place to have 3 police academy classes each year instead of 2, which yields 50 more officers per year after attrition is factored in.

There has also been a change at the top. This is the second year of having Chief Magaw over the county and really his first full year of implementing some initiatives to fight crime. Perhaps his implementation of new programs including having task force in certain areas has curbed crime a bit.

So what do you think? Has PG turned the corner or is this just a matter of a slow period? What do you think has change from last year to this year that has improved things? Are you satisfied with the progress or do you believe more can be done?

[RamblingMan]

I certainly hope that lower murder rates for January and February indicate a trend, but I think that two months of data is probably not enough to draw many conclusions. Do you know what is happening with other types of crime?

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by RamblingMan

I certainly hope that lower murder rates for January and February indicate a trend, but I think that two months of data is probably not enough to draw many conclusions. Do you know what is happening with other types of crime?

That's the problem. It appears that it's not a 'sexy' story so there isn't a lot of information out there. When everything was happening last year you couldn't go to a newspaper without reading something about trends. I agree it's a small dataset, but even when it was happening in just January last year it made national news.

[WASHINGTON BULLETS]

The Mullet Rate is down significantly in PG County as well.

[EdwardA]

This is good especially considering we've had a mild winter. Hopefully it holds up through the summer.

[rsh56]

PG is improving but I think still needs work, especially in its high crime areas. I'm glad though that it has been going down.

[adelphi_sky]

I wonder if this has anything to do with the murder rate in DC going down as well. I know the two are unfortunately closely related.

[IVmyman]

Great news! If this trend continues i hope it will get some press.

[Bella27]

So my daughter is looking to buy a house in Bowie, near pointer road. We don't know the area, but people are saying scary things...

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by Bella27

So my daughter is looking to buy a house in Bowie, near pointer road. We don't know the area, but people are saying scary things...

Is it Pointer Road or Pointer Ridge Road?