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Prince George's County
Police Reform Coming to Prince George’s County
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
Prince George’s County residents such as Kema Hutchinson-Harris said some of the adopted police department reform policies are either “watered-down” or should already implemented.
Three policies would require new recruits to engage in community service, improve access and operations of body-worn cameras and incorporate comprehensive leadership and other forms of training.
“[County officials] are transforming the police department by giving them extra training [and] giving them extra leeway,” said Hutchinson-Harris of Clinton, whose son was assaulted by a Prince George’s officer in May 2017. “We really aren’t getting any accountability.”
County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced nearly four dozen recommendations for the police department to implement such as mental health programs, officer training to prevent racial profiling and not hire officers with a history of misconduct or disciplinary problems.
“We are working to ensure that our police department respects the dignity and values of every single member of our community,” Alsobrooks said during a press conference Friday, Feb. 5 at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building in Largo. “We want to give our police officers every chance to succeed.”
One person who attended the press conference, interim police chief Hector Velez, received a few compliments for his work to help implement the new changes.
“You’re the leader that this county police department needs at this time as you’ve worked to ensure the men and women under your leadership understand that you’re not going to accept anything less than their professional best,” said County Council chair Calvin Hawkins II (D-AtLarge).
Alsobrooks said a decision could be made in the next few weeks on hiring a new police chief.
Dawn Dalton of Upper Marlboro said the new leader shouldn’t be Velez.
“Velez definitely shouldn’t be the chief. He is a part of the problem,” she said. “How do we really think we are going to get any change with the same bad apples?”
A similar remark has been echoed by former and current Black and Latino officers who filed a lawsuit in December 2018 against the county and police department for alleged racial and retaliatory practices within
Maryland Legislation Proposed to Reform State's Unemployment Insurance System
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect thousands of Marylanders in the job market, the state’s unemployment insurance claims could increase for a sixth straight week when weekly figures are released Thursday, Feb. 11.
The state Department of Labor reported more than 50,000 unemployment insurance claims filed the week ending Jan. 30, which marked the fifth straight week they increased in the state. The majority Black jurisdiction of Prince George’s County recorded the highest number of claims filed with 2,000.
State lawmakers plan to present a legislative package this week on ways to enhance the state’s “broken” unemployment insurance system.
About 85 of the 4,000 active unemployment cases come from Senate President Bill Ferguson’s district in Baltimore City.
“This is not a partisan issue. This is about the people of Maryland who need help and we must do right by them,” he said during a virtual press conference Feb. 4. “Now that the legislature is in session, we are determined to do our part and provide the correct tools to ensure we do better.”
The legislative package would be filed through multiple bills to include: • Modernize the unemployment insurance system so people can receive benefits through direct deposit.
• Adequately staff the call center and require caller ID to show that a representative is calling from the state Department of Labor’s unemployment office. • Require the department to undertake a study to analyze several items such as weekly benefits, longterm solvency and expanded eligibility. Part of the requirement would be to provide monthly updates until completion of a final report at the end of the year.
Since the pandemic affected Maryland last year, the state’s unemployment office has received major criticism from thousands of residents who either received payments months later, or not at all.
The Senate approved an amendment this month to provide $1,000 for 39,000 residents who Ferguson said are “stuck in adjudication purgatory. Marylanders need help.”
In terms of additional staff, the Senate seeks to add one person from each of the 47 senatorial districts.
Sen. Kathy Klausmeier (D-Baltimore County) said the department hired about 300 people from a vendor.
The national goal to adjudicate claims stands at 87 percent in a three-week period. Last month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics ranked Maryland last at 37 percent.
5 Reforms are about to take shape in the Prince George’s County Police Department. (FILE: William J. Ford/The Washington Informer)
Del. Dereck Davis (D-District 25) of Mitchellville said the legislature wants to work with the department to improve the unemployment service, but the department remains a function of the executive branch.
“It’s incumbent upon us to work with them [and] to work with Gov. Hogan to ensure that the department is living up to its responsibilities to the citizens of Maryland,” Davis said. “We know they’re trying . . . but at the end of the day, trying is not good enough. We have to deliver.” WI @jabariwill
5 William Ferguson (Courtesy photo) the department.
According to the report, more than 6,800 use-of-force incidents occurred between 2016 to 2019. Black civilians accounted for 86 percent and Latinos at 8 percent.
Those incidents became highlighted in a 94-page report released in June by Michael E. Graham, a former 33-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Former Police Chief Hank Stawinski resigned hours after the report became public. The next day, Alsobrooks announced the appointment of Hector as interim chief during a national search for a new leader.
After the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis on Memorial Day last year, state and county officials such as Alsobrooks established a police reform task force in July to review police department strategies, hiring and use of force policies.
A few of the county police department’s 46 changes mirror what Maryland lawmakers are working on in Annapolis such as eliminating all military-style equipment, investment in mental health and restorative practices to eliminate the school-to-prison pipeline.
Another major reform approved will overhaul the department’s crisis response system that includes the construction of a mental health and addiction center. Alsobrooks earlier last year, which County Council later approved, to use $20 million from the police budget to build a facility focused on mental health.
REFORM Page 51
PGCPS
BRIEFS
Compiled by Dorothy Rowley WI Staff Writer
SCHOOL SCHEDULES
Feb. 15: All Schools and Offices Closed — Presidents' Day Holiday
Feb. 16: Two-hour Delayed Opening — Parent-Teacher Conferences
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
More than 1,400 PGCPS teachers and staff were among the first to recently receive COVID-19 vaccines, kicking off the school system’s employee vaccination program.
Clinics are expected to run six to eight weeks to accommodate each of PGCPS’ thousands of team members wishing to receive vaccinations.
FREE BILINGUAL WORKSHOP
The annual Estudios Universitarios bilingual event (A College Education is Within Your Reach) will be presented virtually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 to assist students in grades 6-12 and their families on how to navigate the pathway to college.
CMIT SENIOR EARNS TOP ACADEMIC HONOR
Chesapeake Math & IT (CMIT) Academy North High School senior Logan Marshall Jackson has been named a candidate in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
Candidates are selected based on superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character, and involvement in community and school activities.
SECOND QUARTER GRADES POSTED
Second Quarter grades have been posted on the SchoolMax Parent Portal as of Feb. 8. Families should receive a mailed report card by Feb.17.
DCPS
BRIEFS
Compiled by Dorothy Rowley WI Staff Writer
SCHOOLS CLOSED
Monday, Feb.15
Presidents Day (No School for Students, Teachers, and Staff)
SCHOOL LOTTERY DEADLINE
The deadline to sign up for the 2021-22 lottery for PK3–8th grade applicants is March 1. Lottery results and waitlist positions will be available April 2. For instructions on accessing a short video about the lottery, email: info.myschooldc@dc.go.
TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALIST
Alejandro Diasgranados, D.C.’s 2021 “Teacher of the Year” has been named a finalist for the “National Teacher of the Year” award.
Diasgranados, who teaches at Aiton Elementary School, is one of four in the running for nation’s top teaching honor.
The last time a D.C. teacher was being considered for the national honor was in 2019 when Amidon-Bowen Elementary School teacher Kelly Harper was a finalist. Prior to that in 2005, Richmond (Va.) Schools Chief Jason Kamras, who went on to serve in several DCPS leadership roles, was named National Teacher of the Year.
“The District of Columbia is fortunate to have outstanding teachers like Alejandro Diasgranados in classrooms throughout the city and advocating for our students,” Bowser said in a statement. “Mr. Diasgranados is an inspiration to his students and a role model for all teachers seeking to make a difference in the lives of D.C. children. We are proud to have him representing Washington, D.C. and teachers nationwide.” and Tuesday • Wednesday – meals for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday • Meals will be distributed between 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at designated community locations for students who live at least 1.5 miles from the nearest schools. For more information, please call the Department of Transportation support telephone number at 301-952-6570.
Food & Nutrition Services will use school rosters to verify and record students who receive a meal.
Parents picking up meals must have the Student PIN# or show student ID or most recent report card to verify enrollment. WI
If not received, please email myreportcard@pgcps.org with the subject line "Missing Report Card" and the following information: student first and last name, ID number, school and grade, and mailing address.
During virtual learning, only Q2 and Q4 report cards will be mailed.
MEALS DURING DISTANCE LEARNING
All schools with the exceptions of Fort Foote and Tayac Elementary Schools and Robert Goddard Montessori, will serve as meal distribution sites.
As part of the service: • Breakfast and lunch offered. • Meals can be picked up at the closest school in your community. Students will need to provide Name, PIN#, and the school enrolled in if they pick up a meal from a school they do not regularly attend. • Suppers will be available in eligible schools. • Meals will be pre-packaged and distributed two days per week between 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at school locations. • Monday – meals for Monday
5 Logan Marshall Jackson has been named a candidate in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. (PGCPS Photo)
Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce February Message
This month we celebrate the African American experience in making extraordinary accomplishments to global innovation. The invention of the traffic light, the founding of blood plasma that saved thousands of lives, the contributions to the arts: literature, film & theater, and in social justice- in every facet of our society African Americans have led and added to the enhancement of our quality of life.
We celebrate these luminaries as examples of excellence and mentorship. Many of us may never reach luminary heights, but all of us can contribute. When we vote or work to improve the lives of others; when we work in emergency rooms or show up to work to make sure that food gets on other people’s tables- we are making history. During this challenging pandemic, so-called ordinary people answered the call, risked their lives, and served their community. Without hesitation or reluctance, these champions fed us, nurtured us, and kept us safe. They are our postmodern history makers.
Afterall, Black History is about seizing the moment, taking a risk, and doing something that few have dared to do. Maybe your service is not highlighted in history books or mentioned in storytelling, but if your service is in lifting humanity, then you have made history. Take the humane action that you are called to do and you, too, are making Black History.
