Police, Community Offer Tips to Reduce Victimization

A rash of residential burglaries and citizen robberies in the Hyattsville area have residents on alert and the police actively working to make the community safer.

"The police have taken a number of different opportunities to find ways of preventing these [criminal acts,]" said Councilman William Tierney (Ward 2).

Tierney's ward has an active neighborhood watch whose responsibility it is to "keep their neighborhood aware of what's going on."

Reporting suspicious behavior to the police is one of the key things residents can do to ensure the safety of themselves and others, he said.

"Be aware of your environment and what's going on in your neighborhood," he said. "Report anything suspicious or unusual to the police. You should never be afraid to disturb the police."

Neighborhood watch member Andrea Fowler, who has lived in Hyattsville for 27 years, does not think the recent burglaries or robberies have made Hyattsville less safe.

"I just think things happen," she said. "[Crime] is part of city life, not a pleasant part. This is a great neighborhood with a good police department, and people are still moving here."

Like Tierney, Fowler encourages residents to keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.

"Don't ignore things that don't seem right. It's important to know your neighbors," she said.

Since this time last year, there has been a 91 percent increase in residential burglaries. The burglaries tend to occur Monday through Thursday and most often in the University Hills, Ager Road area and Queensbury Road/Carrollton Terrace areas.

Citizen robberies most often occur around the West Hyattsville Metro Station and The Mall at Prince Georges between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. The robberies tend to take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday nights.

As a result of these incidents, the Hyattsville police have added to their page on the city's website tips on how to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of a citizen robbery. According to the website, Prince George's County is second in the state when it comes to robberies. Baltimore City is first.

Tips include:

* Walk or drive on well-traveled, well-lit roadways.

* Let someone know when you leave work late, the route you will take and when you should arrive home.

* Never take short cuts down secluded alleys or through closed parks at night.

* Travel with two or more people. Safety is in numbers.

* Have your keys ready so you can enter your car or home quickly.

* Ask for an escort if you feel you need one. Ask cab drivers or friends to wait until you get into your home.

* Never use ATMs in dark, secluded areas that are obstructed from view and are adjacent to corners.

* Never count your money or carry it openly in public as you leave a store or bank.

* Never use laundry rooms, storage facilities or lone courtyards without someone with you.

* If followed, go to well-populated areas and use your cell phone.

* Walk with confidence and be aware of your surroundings.

* If a car is pacing you on the sidewalk, reverse your direction, turn and go into a store or toward a family home.

* Never walk up to a car or stranger to give directions. Put some object between you and a stranger.

As of press time, the Hyattsville Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.