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Thomas E. Dernoga wants to tackle crime in Prince George's County by assigning assistant state's attorneys to specific geographic areas and increasing the number of prosecutors by about a third.

"We won't be successful with moving the county forward and economic development unless we reduce crime," said Dernoga, who is running for State's Attorney and currently serves as chair of the County Council.

Dernoga, who lives in Laurel, faces Democrats Peggy Magee, Joseph L. Wright, Mark Spencer and Angela Alsobrooks in the Sept. 14 primary. He has represented District 1 on the County Council since 2002, when he was elected in a special election to fill a vacant seat, and served as chairman in 2006 and 2010.

A key part of Dernoga's plan is to assign the assistant state's attorneys to specific geographic areas corresponding with the county's police districts.

"They could work with the district commanders, civic leaders ... and municipal leaders," Dernoga said. "They would be more familiar with the types of issues faced [in each district]."

Making sure prosecutors are well-versed in the specific problems of their district would help eliminate the perception that some crimes, such as auto theft and breaking and entering, are not taken seriously by prosecutors, Dernoga said.

Dernoga said he would increase the number of prosecutors in the county to about 100. Currently, the county employs 75 prosecutors.

Dernoga said his time on the County Council will give him an advantage when it comes to finding funding for the new positions. For example, the county underestimates its projected revenue, usually leaving a surplus at the end of each fiscal year, Dernoga said.

"I have been intimately involved in development of the county budget," Dernoga said. "I know more about how to make that happen than anyone else running."

Margaret Addis, a former associate county attorney who worked with Dernoga on several constituent issues, said one of Dernoga's strengths is his sense of community.

"He focuses on looking out for little person and understanding issue," Addis said. "He's less motivated by a political agenda and more concerned about what will happen to the individual."

Bob Mignon, owner of Minutemen Press and Laurel Board of Trade member, said Dernoga has been a very effective County Council member and is well-suited for the position.

"He's always been very effective in everything he's set out to do," Mignon said. "He's a great communicator both verbally and written. He has great follow-through. He does what he says he's going to do. He would be a strong leader as the Prince George's State's Attorney."

dleaderman@gazette.net.

Thomas E. Dernoga

Position sought: Prince George's County State's Attorney

Party affiliation: Democrat

Place of residence: Laurel

How long lived in county: 30 years

Age: 51

Place of birth: Baltimore

Current occupation: Chairman, Prince George's County Council

Education: BA in Government and Politics, University of Maryland, College Park; JD, University of Maryland School of Law; Master of Laws and Taxation, Georgetown University Law Center.

Community associations: West Laurel Civic Association; Bond Mill Elementary School Parent and Teacher Association; Board of Education Committee of 100 Community Advisory Committee

Family: wife, Lenora; children Matthew and Danielle

Website: www.tomdernoga.com