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Montgomery County Police Capt. Nancy Demme earlier this month told Aspen Hill residents that statistics show fewer crimes in the 4th District, which includes their community, in six categories so far this year.
Looking at the numbers from January to September compared with the first nine months of last year, Demme said the area is seeing fewer robberies, aggravated assaults, residential and commercial burglaries, thefts from vehicles and stolen automobiles.
For example, she said, there were 17 robberies in September versus 21 in September 2008.
She said officers are doing a good job of keeping their eyes on the community. One reason she believes the theft rate is down is that officers are mailing notices to residents when valuable objects are visible in their vehicles or in their open garages.
Demme added Monday that residents are helping reduce crime by being more cautious and reporting crimes as they occur.
"Our guys are doing a good job, but I can't attribute it all to them," she said. "The community deserves some credit for doing their part."
Demme noted that community groups, such as the Aspen Hill Civic Association, are pitching in by keeping police up to date on what is going on in their neighborhoods.
"They're like my pulse on the community," she said.
Demme said she had been concerned by the rate of crime in Aspen Hill in previous years, but the numbers seem to be trending downward. Specifically, there has been a decrease in stolen automobiles and theft.
"I think it's outstanding that crime in that area is down, and I really think it is in part to them helping themselves," she said of residents.
But the 4th District is not the only place where crime is down. According to county police statistics released last week, Montgomery experienced an overall 5 percent decrease in reported crimes during the first six months of this year compared with the first six months in 2008.
Violent crimes, which include murder, rape and aggravated assault, dropped 7.4 percent, while other crimes, such as minor assaults, forgeries and arson, decreased by 3.6 percent.
New board members nominated
The Aspen Hill Civic Association nominated its new board of directors at its biannual membership meeting last week.
Officers will be elected at the group's next board meeting Nov. 23.
The board's 10 members will be joined by four new residents.
The board members and their positions are Alexandra Minckler, president; Marguerite Eimer, vice president; Linda Robbins, corresponding secretary; David Polinsky, recording secretary; Melvin "Mel" Bell, treasurer; and Don Becker, Sharon Dean, Carol S. Petzold, Bill Shelton and Patricia Walker, board members.
New members are Robert Clarke, Don Eimer, Rusty Embrey and Dwayne Holmes.
Coming up
at the Aspen Hill Library
Friends of the Aspen Hill Library will discuss "The Space Between U" by Thrity Umrigar at 1 p.m. Monday at the library, 4407 Aspen Hill Road. For more information, call Pamela Roberts at 240-773-0409.
Friends will hold a Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at the library.
Thousands of books will be available for purchase, most at $1 or less.