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Minutes from membership meeting December 8, 2008
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Committee Reports: Michael Auslin stated that the KMCA
sent a letter to Ike Leggett in support of addressing housing code
violations. Selena Snow reported that the park at Lamberton and Arcola is
scheduled for capital improvement.
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A presentation on crime in the Kemp Mill area was made by
Lt. Jacques Croom of the local police department. He said Kemp Mill has been
a low crime area. Citizens should call the police if they see suspicious
activity. The non-emergency number is 301 279 8000. If citizens feel police
were not responsive they can contact the supervisor at 240 773-5500. The
police office is located at the intersection of Randolph and Georgia and the
phone is answered 24 hours a day. There is also a drop-in facility inside
the Wheaton Mall. He stated that there have been a few incidents in the
neighborhood. On October 11 there was a robbery at gunpoint by 3 Hispanic
males, but the police have not been able to locate the victim. He cautioned
residents not to keep valuables in their cars, walk with authority, and
maintain good lighting around the house. Regarding the group home at 616
Hyde Rd, he said crime has been reduced as a result of efforts by the police
department. Other incidents: A fire took place the day before Thanksgiving
at a house on Inwood Road, and 85 year old woman died as a result, and
suspects have been arrested and will be prosecuted. In response to
questions, Croom also made the following points: (1) Serious crime at
Wheaton Mall is low, but theft of goods from cars and shoplifting are high.
There has been a lot of progress re: gang activity and graffiti. (2) There
are no longer police on Ride On buses, but there are video cameras and
instant communication between the driver and police. (3) There’s no new
information about the burglary on Yeatman Terr. (4) Three people were
arrested as a result of a stabbing at Stonington Place. (5) An increase in
crime in not foreseen as a result of the new apartment complexes in Wheaton.
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Maura Lynch of the State’s Attorney’s office addressed
the group home on Hyde Road. She is a community prosecutor assigned to
Wheaton and Silver Spring, and her role is to educate the public as well as
prosecute crimes. The group home is for children who are committed to the
court system because of delinquency or because their parents cannot care for
them. The home holds eight juveniles. Children are placed there if the
Department of Heath and Human Services and Department of Juvenile Services
determines they can be helped. These are children who have committed minor
crimes or have minor psychological problems. There was an inappropriate
placement of a juvenile in the home, leading to a “one man crime wave.”
Lynch met with the owners of the group home and expressed concerns. When
that child left the home crime went down. The owners have cooperated with
the police and have given police access to the home to search for drugs and
contraband. The owners want the group home to be a service to the community
and not a detriment.
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Rob Klein, Director, Wheaton Redevelopment Program,
addressed plans to revitalize Wheaton. In particular he discussed the
possibility of relocating the Wheaton library to downtown Wheaton. Options
being considered are either renovating the existing facility or moving it.
If it were renovated it would need to be closed for two years. The audience
had many questions about the revitalization plan and the library relocation.
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Election of new director. Jim Priestly nominated Adrian
Black to serve remainder of term ending summer 2010. The nomination was
accepted and he was unanimously elected.
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