The Takoma Park Police will present a town hall meeting with representatives from two adjacent counties to examine gangs, “What We Know, What We Should Do.” The meeting will take place Wednesday, Sept. 14, 7-9 p.m. at the Takoma Park Municipal Building.
The Montgomery County Police Gang Unit will present the most current information regarding gangs and their impact on public safety in the area. In addition to Takoma Park Police, other speakers will include the Montgomery County State’s Attorney, the Prince George’s County Police, and Prince George’s County States Attorney’s Office.
The town hall meeting, requested by Councilmember Doug Barry, will be an opportunity to learn the latest on gang activity and governmental response and to discuss residents’ concerns.
In the past month, public concern regarding gangs heightened with two publicized stabbing incidents, one outside a Montgomery County School and another at a nearby shopping mall. These were followed by three incidents in adjacent Langley Park, in which three people died although these have not been tied to gang activity. In mid-August, a federal indictment was brought against 19 men from Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, who are believed to be members of a Latino gang Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13.
A follow-up session in October will address community-based strategies for addressing the problems of gangs.
Posted by Police at September 11, 2005 09:24 AM