Some inconvenient truths about Prince George’s County (Baltimore, Queen Anne: 2013, crime)

[UrbanScholar]

I thought that this was an interesting and candid OpEd. The author makes some solid points about some of the challenges that PGC has regarding youth violence.

Some inconvenient truths about Prince George’s County - The Root DC Live - The Washington Post

[bowian]

Very good piece. I found the last part, regarding the tendency to protect young black criminals to the detriment of innocent young black victims, particularly telling. I agree that the judiciary needs to improve the incarceration rate of all criminals who are wreaking havoc in the county. The coddling doesn't help anyone.

[tgs_bg]

Originally Posted by bowian

I agree that the judiciary needs to improve the incarceration rate of all criminals who are wreaking havoc in the county. The coddling doesn't help anyone.

I can site countless examples of how the Prince George's criminal justice system is broken and how criminals can pretty much do whatever they want short of murder and not have to worry about anything when it comes to court. Ask any police officer who works in Prince George's county and prepare to hear some frustrating experiences.

Besides Prince George's, I have experience in Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Queen Anne's County and Charles County courts. The Prince George's court system by far is the most lenient and broken system out of the bunch.

I personally feel it is a political thing -- to make an unaccurate representation about how crime is not an issue in the county but I obviously can't prove that.

[justtitans]

What a well written piece by Councilman Franklin. I agree 1000% with what he has said. It's sad that it has gotten to this point. One thing that I want to make clear, is his point about having good fathers I believe has an effect on pretty much everything else that was stated. Why has having so many illegitimate children become the norm? There are women, God bless them, who are trying to raise men and simply cannot do it because a woman can only take a boy but so far. It's an awful cycle that needs to be worked on.

As far as tgs_bg's point about it being a political thing, I totally agree, but I would take it a step further and say that it's like people don't want to be the one that destroy that young black man's life by sending him to prison. It's like the judicial system wants to believe that these young people will figure it out and black people have a tendency to pat each other on the back and say we can't have you going to prison because we don't want you being another statistic. That is a backwards mentality because many of these young men never received consequences or discipline because they lacked the father figures to put those things in place, they often ignore the mothers that do try to instill those principles, and there is a lack of accountability. I would hate to see young people go to prison for a long time, but if that is what it's going to take for others to see him as an example, then perhaps we can prevent others from doing the same.

[No_Allegiance]

The truth is that this is no more a truth for Prince George's county than for any other jurisdiction in our area or country. This is just a continuation of the "if it bleeds it leads" sensationalism by the media and pandering by a politician looking to increase his clout.

[EdwardA]

Originally Posted by tgs_bg

I can site countless examples of how the Prince George's criminal justice system is broken and how criminals can pretty much do whatever they want short of murder and not have to worry about anything when it comes to court. Ask any police officer who works in Prince George's county and prepare to hear some frustrating experiences.

Besides Prince George's, I have experience in Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Queen Anne's County and Charles County courts. The Prince George's court system by far is the most lenient and broken system out of the bunch.

I personally feel it is a political thing -- to make an unaccurate representation about how crime is not an issue in the county but I obviously can't prove that.

Wow even worse than Baltimore with its jury nullification problem? I agree there is a concerted effort by PG leadership to tamper down the perception that crime is a problem in the county. Unfortunately for them people can read the paper and watch the news for themselves. So I doubt it's effective.

[Chimbok]

I think the whole MD thing is messed up beyond repair.
But as for PG, don't expect to fix something that's been broken for decades.

The criminal activities in PG, are not something you can apply the old saying:
"If you can't beat 'em, join 'em", as few people are into crime, but when crime is
concentrated in counties like PG, the only obvious choice is to leave the area.
COPS AINT WORTH A DAMN IN MARYLAND.

They don't want to risk dirtying their uniforms and force the state to go over-quota
on uniform expenses, so they can show up to one's door in a spiffy-looking uniform.
They rely on the courts to put the fear of God into people, when it should first be the cops
putting that fear into people. HA ! Not here.

[jmking]

Originally Posted by No_Allegiance

The truth is that this is no more a truth for Prince George's county than for any other jurisdiction in our area or country. This is just a continuation of the "if it bleeds it leads" sensationalism by the media and pandering by a politician looking to increase his clout.

I was born in DC, lived in SE until I was 6. Moved to PG until the 80s, lived in Montgomery for a few and have lived in Fairfax for 20 plus years. PG is by far not the norm. In fact it is the area most new comers to the area avoid if all possible. White flight was very big back in the 70s onward in PG and it is still going on to this day, unfortunately.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by No_Allegiance

The truth is that this is no more a truth for Prince George's county than for any other jurisdiction in our area or country. This is just a continuation of the "if it bleeds it leads" sensationalism by the media and pandering by a politician looking to increase his clout.

Is there sensationalism? Sure.

Does that mean it's not a problem here? Look at the statistics. PG is not like other jurisdictions. That is a complete fallacy. And that is exactly what the the Councilman was even stating. People are quick to get so defensive that no one wants to deal with the reality. You don't deal with the issue when you pretend an issue doesn't exist.

[armory]

Are there any convenient truths about PGC?