By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- Prince George’s County, Md. — Violent crime down 19% and property crime down 15% year over year; homicides -40%, carjackings -55%, robberies -48%, officials said. Police1+1
- County welcomed its largest recruit class in a decade: 72 recruits (55 for PGPD). Leaders say results “didn’t happen by chance.” Police1+1
- Strategy: weekly data-driven reviews, truancy-focused youth interventions, and tighter juvenile detention for high-risk offenders. WTOP News
- Officials stressed data integrity amid regional scrutiny of crime stats; recruitment remains a top priority. Police1+1
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — Prince George’s County leaders reported steep crime reductions alongside the department’s largest recruit class in a decade, crediting a sustained push on hiring and targeted youth strategies they say are driving the turnaround. Violent crime is down 19% and property crime down 15% compared with 2024, with homicides down 40%, carjackings down 55% and robberies down 48%, according to Chief George Nader. Police1+1
Nader delivered the update while addressing 72 recruits—55 headed to the county police—saying the dual track of aggressive recruiting and weekly data reviews has sharpened enforcement and prevention. “We made recruiting our mission,” he said, noting the department’s focus on accurate, audited crime data to steer operations. Police1+1
County Executive Aisha Braveboy and public safety officials emphasized data integrity as essential to public trust, drawing a contrast with regional controversies over reported crime. The county also pointed to truancy interventions and closer coordination with Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services to detain juveniles deemed threats rather than immediate release. Juvenile homicide victims fell from nine in 2024 to five in 2025, officials said. WTOP News
Recruitment remains central: leaders highlighted plans to steer new officers into homicide, K-9, internal affairs, IT and other specialized roles as the agency rebuilds capacity. The push comes amid broader statewide staffing challenges and is intended to consolidate recent gains into 2026. Police1+1