Landover, Maryland (Monday, September 5, 2022) – Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced today the county will begin actively enforcing a curfew beginning this weekend for youth 17-years-old and under.  While this is not a new initiative, the county has not clamped down on violators in recent years.  That will start this weekend with first time offenders getting a warning and then being taken home to their parents or guardians.  For the second and third offenses, parents and guardians can face fines ranging from $50 to $200.  The curfew will last initially for 30 days.

The move comes as the county ended August as one of its most violent on record with 24 murders.  Flanked by the police chief, several council-members, and church leaders at police headquarters; Alsobrooks declared there’s an accountability problem in the county and called on the entire community to join together to help curb crime and violence in Prince George’s.

Youth violence has been particularly troubling in the county in recent weeks with youth being both the victims and in some cases the perpetrators as well.  Alsobrooks and Chief Malik Aziz ran down the county’s crime stats calling them troubling and unacceptable.  So far this year, more than 430 youth have been arrested, 84 have been taken into custody for carjacking, and eight have been charged with murder.  “Somebody has got to take responsibility for these armed and dangerous children and it is not just the police and not just the government,” said Alsobrooks.

Much of today’s press conference was focused on youth crime.  But overall, the county’s crime picture is bleak.  There have been 88 murders so far this year, 211 shooting victims where the persons have survived, and 350 carjackings.  Additionally, police have recovered 1,169 and have made 833 gun related arrests.

“We are making the arrests and I think the public has to understand that.  But it has to be an all system solution.  It has to be a case where the police have to be at the table, the state’s attorney’s office has to be at the table, the department of juvenile services has to be at the table, the court system has to be at the table… in order for this to be resolved,” said Alsobrooks.

While Alsobrooks was critical of the judicial branch, she stopped short of calling any specific names.  That was not the case for Council Chairman Calvin Hawkins who did not hold back when it was his turn to give remarks.  He pointed the finger of blame at State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy and at the county’s judges.  “To some of you judges who are letting these individuals out, you are going to have to deal with this county council because we don’t want you presiding over those kind of cases that are putting perpetrators on the streets that are increasing the crime in our community.” said Hawkins.

Chief Aziz says a sense of fear has taken over for some residents because of the violence.  “I hear from people that they are afraid to go to the gas station to even pump gas out of fear of being carjacked.  So if you ask me has the pendulum swung too far (when it comes to the violence) , I believe it has,” added Chief Aziz.