Maryland Community Newspapers Online
If you live in Area I of West Laurel, it's not too late to make tonight's special meeting of the West Laurel Civic Association, which will specifically address the concerns of Area 1 residents. The meeting will run from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Future meetings will be Nov. 19 (Area 2), Jan. 21 (Area 3), March 4 (Area 4) and April 15 (Area 5). All meetings will take place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the West Laurel Community Building, 16501 Supplee Lane in Laurel. If you are unsure of which area you reside in refer to the WLCA Area Map at http://www.wlcaweb.org/
map2.htm.
Vandals, thieves ruining Halloween decorations
It seems that fall has brought the vandals and petty thieves back to West Laurel. Pumpkins and other Halloween decorations have been smashed and/or stolen throughout the community, according to residents. Fellow West Laurel resident and Citizens Advisory Group member Beth Evans reminds residents to call the police to report all crimes. The number to call for non-emergency crimes, those already committed as opposed to in-progress is 301-333-4000. This number will work faster during a non-emergency than calling 911.
Building under M-NCPPC's Park Police jurisdiction
Did you know that police response at the West Laurel Community Building is handled not by the Prince George's County Police but by the Maryland-National Capital Park Police? Recently folks meeting at the community building observed ongoing vandalism — juveniles throwing rocks at windows — and did what most of us would have done, they called 911. The Prince George's County police did not show, so another call was placed; still no police.
Only days afterwards did anyone learn that the West Laurel Community Building, being on Maryland-National Capital Parks & Planning Commission property, is actually in the jurisdiction of the M-NCPPC Park Police and not the Prince George's County Police. The Park Police did respond, but because the request had to be passed through the jurisdictional morass, they appeared after the callers had left the building.
Surprisingly, there is no sign posted at the building with the Park Police number, although that is now in the works and should be posted soon. However, if you participate in events at the community building or anywhere at T. Howard Duckett Park, you might want to note these numbers in your cell phone or contact list: 301-459-3232 (emergency); 301-459-9088 (non-emergency).
If you are on M-NCPPC property and there is a medical emergency, you should still call 911 for assistance.
This is one further example of the power of the West Laurel community Yahoo discussion group. Thanks to the person who originally brought up the seeming lack of police response to the incident, and to all those who took part in the discussion and fact-finding that led residents to the correct way of handling future incidents at the community building. If you haven't already joined the group, now is the time. Visit the WLCA Web site at www.wlcaweb.org/. There's a link to join the Yahoo group at the top right corner of the first page.