Gory Prince George's: 3 more murders

(Posted 12 Dec 2006; summary & statistics)

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Commentary

Despite County Executive Jack Johnson's recent and pre-election claims that he has reduced violent crime, and similar claims made two days ago by Police Chief Melvin High and published in today's Gazette (Berger), the county murder rate continues to climb--now at 123 by my count. The body count is approaching the 128 killed in 2003, Johnson's first full year in office, and has already passed the annual average of 110 during the administration of his predecessor, Wayne Curry.

Johnson and High were generally silent as the violent crime rate increased. They did not step forward to take the blame or even acknowledge the problem until the growing crime rate reached record levels and threatened Johnson's re-election. Why does the press, and especially the Gazette, now uncritically allow them to get away with taking credit for a "reduction" that still leaves us with more murders than when they took office?

In my opinion, Johnson will be entitled to claim he is reducing violent crime only when the average during his tenure drops below the average during Curry's eight years in office. Until then (if it ever happens), and despite all the hot air, Johnson will remain the County Executive with the worst violent crime rate in the county's history.

Lisa Laverne (22) and Labria Fogle (9 months) Brown, 22.

• Date: 12 Dec 2006, 12:15 pm
• Location: Engleman Drive, 13700 block, 20708 (6.121 & 6.122)
• Very near Eisenhower Middle School, while school was in session.
  
• (Outside the Beltway, 39.080368, -76.857193)
• Council District 1
• Legislative District 21
• Shot in their residence (probably domestic)
  
• Victim's address: Engleman Drive, 13700 block, 20708
  
• (Outside the Beltway, 39.080368, -76.857193)
• Council District 1
• Legislative District 21
• Sources:
• Police, 12 Dec 2006.
• Examiner,
• Gazette, 14 Dec 2006 (Prabhu).
  
• Post, 12 Dec 2006 (Deane & Casteneda).
  
• 13 Dec 2006 (Casteneda & Rich).
• 14 Dec 2006 (Casteneda & Rich).
• Sun, 12 Dec 2006 (AP).
  
• Times,
• nbc4.com, 12 Dec 2006, 13 Dec 2006
• wtopnews.com, 12 Dec 2006
  

James Raymond Stokes, 19

• Date: 13 Dec 2006, 3:00 pm
• Location: Boones Lane, 2900 block, 20747 (6.123)
• (Inside the Beltway, more than two miles from the DC line, 38.849804, -76.881149).
• Council District 6
• Legislative District 25
• Shot
• Victim's address: Cindy Lane, block not reported, 20743
• (Within one mile of the DC line)
• Council District 7
• Legislative District 24
• Sources:
• Police: Press release not online!
  
• Examiner,
• Gazette,
• Post, 14 Dec 2006 (Williams).
  
• Times,