Police hiring may suffer, Johnson warns
County executive says he will propose ‘revenue enhancement' to overcome expected $100M deficit
When Johnson was elected in 2002, he pledged to hire 150 new officers each fiscal year. He has fulfilled that promise so far, he said, but isn't sure he can in the next cycle.
"It's still our goal, but I don't know how it will turn out," he said.
Johnson said he plans to ask state legislators for "some revenue enhancement for the county" next week, but would not provide details on his request. The Maryland General Assembly began its session Wednesday.
Johnson spokesman John Erzen was unable to provide additional details.
"This is the first I've heard of it," Erzen said after Johnson's remarks at a news conference Monday.
Johnson's talk of revenue streams has fueled speculation that he may be asking the state to give Prince George's County new taxing powers. A voter-imposed charter amendment has kept the county from raising local taxes without voter approval since 1996.
Johnson held a closed-door meeting with legislators in November, allegedly warning that the county would have to lay off workers if the state did not help the county reduce its deficit, and hinted that he may ask for more taxing power.
"We're extremely concerned," said Judy Robinson, a Hyattsville resident who has campaigned against county attempts to raise taxes. "When Mr. Johnson says it, ‘revenue enhancement' normally means a new tax of some type. And if he's doing it, he's doing it behind people's backs."
Johnson's remarks came at a conference with Police Chief Roberto Hylton to announce another year of reduced crime in the county, a shift Johnson attributed to the drive to hire new officers.
Overall crime in Prince George's County dropped about 4 percent in 2008 compared to 2007, despite increases in thefts and burglaries. Violent crimes such as homicides and rapes dropped 9 percent last year while property crimes decreased by 3 percent.
In 2007, crime had dropped 7.8 percent from 2006.
Since Johnson took office in 2003, Prince George's County has recruited 889 officers to its force, which currently stands at 1,587. In the same time, crime overall has fallen by about 25 percent.
"We are at the lowest [crime rate] we've had since 1990, and we're proud of that," Johnson said. "We knew that if we recruited the right people and talent, if we unshackled our commanders, we'd have results. … When you look at these numbers, you have to be excited."
Prince George's had 42,728 reports of criminal activity in 2008, about 1,722 less than 2007, according to police statistics.
Police reported 131 homicides last year, 10 fewer than in 2007. The 316 carjackings and 3,452 assaults in 2008 dropped by 6.5 percent and 11 percent from 2007 levels.
Thefts rose in 2008. Robberies, where criminals steal from homes and businesses, increased, along with cases of criminals breaking into and stealing from unoccupied buildings.
The county's 364 business robberies in 2008 and 139 home invasions were up 7 and 10 percent respectively over 2007. While commercial burglaries fell 9 percent in 2008, home burglaries increased 16 percent to 5,006.
Hylton and Johnson said the increase is tied to the economy, and said it will take more community involvement to reverse the trend.
"I've learned that there are some things the police department can do really, really well by themselves. But there are some things that need the community's help," said Johnson, who said neighborhood associations and watch groups must be more active reporting and tracking robberies and break-ins.
"We're concerned, but we don't think it's gonna rise again," Johnson said.
Last year marked a transition in the county police department, as former Chief Melvin C. High retired last summer and was replaced by Hylton, a veteran county officer who has run a campaign of greater outreach, community involvement and energy from the force.
"What is critical is our renewed energy in this police department,"said Hylton, who was nominated by Johnson last month to become the permanent police chief.
Johnson said Hylton will likely be confirmed by the County Council next month.
"We look forward to you coming on," Johnson told Hylton.
E-mail Daniel Valentine at dvalentine@gazette.net
Copyright © Post-Newsweek Media, Inc./Gazette.Net