August 27, 2016 - September 2, 2016, The Afro-American
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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY-AREA D.C.’s Top Cop Leaves for NFL
Hundreds Celebrate Chris Barry’s Life
Prince George’s County
Head Start Child Abuse Detailed By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com
Courtesy Photo
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier is leaving the department to work for the NFL. By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com In a surprise move, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier announced Aug. 16 that she will become the National Football League’s new senior vice president for security in September. When she steps down in two weeks, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) will appoint an interim successor and launch a nationwide search for the permanent replacement. The departure of Lanier to a new job has District residents thinking about her tenure and who her replacement should be. D.C. Council member Kenyon McDuffie (-Ward 5) said he is looking forward to that process. “Given the national focus on community-police relations, it will be important that our next police chief Continued on D2
Photo by Rob Roberts
Calvin Barry, a cousin of the late Christopher Barry, spoke at his funeral on Aug. 22 along with other notable D.C. residents, including D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and former Ward 8 advisory neighborhood commissioner Anthony Lorenzo Green among others. presumptive at-large D.C. Council member Robert White (D), former D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown, and former council members Vincent Orange, Frank Smith, and Sandy Allen. Barry was 36 at the time of his death. He was the owner of Marion C. Barry was recently praised as a young man who a small business, Efficiency Contractors, which hired many was working to turn his life around and who loved his people Ward 8 residents, some and the communities they of whom were returning lived in. citizens, to work on projects Hundreds of people such as painting schools and ranging from D.C. Mayor doing construction work on Muriel Bowser (D), – D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser buildings. However, Barry presumptive Ward 7 D.C. had his troubles with the law Council member Vincent that sometimes dealt with Gray (D), and other drug use and possession. dignitaries and residents came to the funeral service of Barry, Bowser said she understood that Barry’s life wasn’t easy. the son of the late Ward 8 council member and four-term “This is a city of accomplished people but Washington, D.C. District mayor Marion S. Barry, on Aug. 22 at the Temple of can be a tough place, too,” she said. “I watched Chris Barry Praise church in Ward 8. Barry, who died of an apparent drug grow up. He was the ‘first son’ of the city. He had his struggles overdose on Aug. 14, was honored by Bowser in a somber, yet in life but he was a humble, vulnerable, flesh, and blood human straightforward address. being. However, I choose to remember his brightest days.” “I am here to offer condolences of a grateful city,” the Attorney-lobbyist David Wilmot and former D.C. mayor said. “Christopher was a son of our city and I am a Corporation Counsel Fred Cooke talked about the professional daughter of our city. We have just lost a son of our city.” and personal relationship that they had with Barry. One of his Among the notables attending the funeral were D.C. closest friends, Carl Thomas, told funny and moving stories of Council members Elissa Silverman (I-At Large), Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) and Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7), plus Continued on D2 By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com
“He was the ‘First Son’ of the city.”
Residents of Prince George’s County are upset over the possible loss of millions of dollars in funding for one of the nation’s most successful pre-school programs following a report detailing abuse of children at several schools. On Aug. 17, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III, Prince George’s County School Superintendent Kevin Maxwell, and members of the Prince George’s County Board of Education were notified by officials of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that the $6.4 million Head Start grant had been terminated. The notification indicated this was due to uncorrected problems with the program regarding the questionable behavior of staff toward children. Baker is angry that the county is set to lose money on a program he considers vital to the lives of young Prince Georgians. “I have asked Dr. Maxwell to address this matter immediately and I have confidence that he and the Board of Education will ensure that the families of 932 children in the program do not lose this valuable and important educational service,” Baker said. “The acts that are documented in the HHS report from the Head Continued on D2
Three Members of Md. County Fun Spots Nipsey’s Style Reflects Homegrown Culture Human Trafficking Ring Indicted By Kristi Love Special to the AFRO
By Zenitha Prince Senior AFRO Correspondent Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks this week announced the crackdown of a Maryland-based human trafficking enterprise, resulting in indictments against three of its members. Rashid Marwan Mosby, 42, Terra Marie Perry, 35, and Joshua Isaiah Jones, 26, were charged on several counts of conspiracy human trafficking, trafficking of minors and adults and receiving earnings from a prostitute, among other charges. “The trafficking of women for prostitution is a widespread and worldwide practice that places vulnerable individuals at risk of exploitation and violence, and it is a problem even in our own back yards,” Frosh said in a statement. “This enterprise brutalized women, –Brian Frosh crossed county and state lines, and spanned years. But, through close collaboration between our office and the office of Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks, today, we can announce that this enterprise has been shut down.” A 2015 arrest by Prince George’s County Police officers initiated the multi-agency investigation that resulted in the arrests and charges against the defendants. “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of police, prosecutors and defense attorneys across Maryland, together, we will continue to focus on inter-jurisdictional and cross border crimes to ultimately end human trafficking in our state,” said Col. William Pallozzi, superintendent of the Maryland State Police, which also Continued on D2
“…it is a problem even in our own back yards.”
Photo by Lonnie Moses
County residents enjoy a night of Go-Go music at Nipsey’s in Upper Marlboro, Md.
After traveling the nation and experiencing different musical cultures, a local restaurant owner decided to incorporate several homegrown styles of Prince George’s County, Md. into his establishment. Nipsey’s Restaurant and Grill, based in Upper Marlboro, Md., was named after the bar from popular 1990’s TV sitcom Martin. Nipsey’s was formally known as The Zone. Go-Go music and R&B/Neo Soul, which is popular in the county’s music scene, is featured at the restaurant with bands such as Junkyard Band playing on Fridays and Let it Flow the Band playing every first Saturday of the month. “I owe [residents] a place they can go to in their Continued on D2
Man Pleads Guilty in Death of Infant By Linda Poulson Special to the AFRO
Kareem Bruce Bryant was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Aug. 19 for the homicide of his girlfriend’s 6-month-old baby. Bryant, 24, of the 1400 block of 18th Street in Southeast Washington, D.C., was charged with first degree child abuse resulting in death and second degree murder of Mariah Tilghman. Tilghman died on Jan. 9. According to the Prince George’s County Police Department, he was under the influence of K2 or
synthetic marijuana. Bryant told police in January that he was responsible for the baby’s injuries. “While we are pleased that Mr. Bryant took responsibility for his actions, there is absolutely no excuse to harm a defenseless child,” said Prince Georges County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks in a statement. “We have seen far too many instances of children in our community who have died at the hands of individuals who were responsible for their care and it will not be tolerated. We will prosecute these individuals to the fullest
Prince George’s Police Department
Kareem Bruce Bryant was charged with the homicide of a 6-month-old baby girl.
extent of the law.” The incident happened on Jan. 6 when Bryant was watching the baby while her mother was taking a shower. According to police, the baby stopped breathing and Bryant then applied CPR and called 911. Patrol units arrived at the home in Landover, Md. The baby was taken to Prince George’s Hospital Center and later flown to the Children’s National Medical Center in the District. Results from a CAT scan showed the baby had symptoms of what is called Continued on D3