Showing posts with label Rockville Police. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rockville Police. Show all posts

Monday, March 18, 2024

Rockville residents asking Mayor & Council to boost funding for police as Montgomery County retreats


A downward spiral that began when the Montgomery County Council made a modest effort to "defund the police" in 2021 by cutting 30 positions picked up speed on November 1, 2023, when the Montgomery County Police Department announced it would no longer respond to 911 calls in the municipalities of Rockville and Gaithersburg, unless their respective City police departments had no units available or needed backup assistance. The pull-out was due to a shortage of officers, which is forecast to grow to 239 vacancies by July 2025. Montgomery County currently has 176 police officer vacancies, as former County Council staff member Adam Pagnucco reported last fall. Rockville residents concerned about the greater responsibility now being shouldered by its municipal police officers plan to press the Mayor and Council to boost funding for the Rockville City Police Department outside of City Hall tonight, March 18, 2024 at 6:45 PM.

Residents want to "let the City Council know that public safety, funding and support for the Rockville Police Department is important, especially given the increasing crime throughout Rockville and the County, as a whole," rally organizer Brigitta Mullican said in a press release about tonight's effort. The Mayor and Council will be holding a hearing on the city's FY-2025 budget during their meeting tonight. 

Last month, Rockville City Police Chief Victor Brito told the Mayor and Council that his department is now handling 88% of emergency calls within the city limits. That's up from 71% in 2018. Mullican said that she will be testifying during tonight's public hearing for an increase in police funding and salaries. 

Recruitment has become a challenge nationwide, as officers in many jurisdictions where elected officials have disparaged or criticized police - including Montgomery County - have either retired early, or moved to other departments around the region or country that are perceived as being more supportive of police officers. The competition for the reduced number of people choosing to enter the law enforcement field has become intense as a result. Rockville must remain competitive with officer salaries and benefits to attract enough officers to handle its increased responsibilities.


Brito's presentation last month showed the impact of the City's greater call load - exacerbated by a persistent crime wave in the County since 2020 - on officer response time. He noted the national statistics that indicate that for every additional 1000 emergency calls, another 9 minutes are added to response time, on average. 

Participants in tonight's rally outside City Hall, located at 111 Maryland Avenue, are asked to bring signs showing support for Rockville City police. A group photo will be taken to show the size of support from residents for City officers.

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Rockville police to give away free steering wheel locks to combat theft


Rockville City police will be giving away free steering wheel locks on Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The giveaway will be held at the police station at 2 W. Montgomery Avenue, while supplies last. Auto thefts continue to be a major problem in Montgomery County. The steering wheel locks can also be an effective deterrent for airbag thieves.

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Mystery suspect cuts cable to golf cart backup camera in Rockville


Rockville City police are looking for an unknown suspect who took a bizarre action in the King Farm neighborhood. Sometime between 2:00 PM on March 1, 2024 and 11:00 AM on March 4, an unidentified person cut the cable to the backup camera of a golf cart parked in the 300 block of Saddle Ridge Circle. That is near the King Farm Citizens Assembly Community Center Clubhouse. Anyone who has information regarding the suspect or this incident is asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Rockville bar patron steals employee's car after arguing with staff


A disgruntled patron at a bar in Rockville argued with bar staff, then later retaliated by allegedly stealing one of the employees' cars. Rockville City police say that the suspect jawed with employees, then snatched a set of car keys from one of their jackets, and stole that employee's vehicle from outside the establishment. The vehicle theft was reported at a bar on Seven Locks Road around 2:00 AM on the morning of March 1, 2024. Police have not released a description of the suspect.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Rockville apartment tenant robbed, assaulted at knifepoint


Rockville City police are searching for a suspect in the March 2, 2024 armed robbery and assault at an apartment complex in the 2000 block of Baltimore Road. Around 3:12 PM Saturday, a tenant was just outside his apartment door when he was approached by an adult male suspect. The suspect displayed a knife, and demanded the tenant empty his pockets. Refusing to comply, the tenant attempted to flee.

The suspect then kicked the tenant, and managed to obtain cash from the victim before fleeing the scene. Police describe the suspect as a male of unknown race, wearing a black jacket with a hood. Anyone who has information regarding the suspect or this incident is asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Assault at gas station in Rockville


Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a gas station in the Twinbrook area of the city this past Thursday morning, February 29, 2024. The assault was reported at a station in the 2200 block of Veirs Mill Road at 9:15 AM Thursday. There is a Shell station on that block.

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Bus driver assaulted by passenger in Rockville


Rockville City police responded to a report of an assault on a bus driver on the morning of February 23, 2024. According to police, a bus was stopped at the intersection of Rockville Pike and Wootton Parkway around 10:00 AM, when a passenger "became enraged." The passenger spat on the bus driver, and then repeatedly attempted to punch the driver. No description of the suspect was given by police.

Monday, February 26, 2024

Police called after assault at Rockville sporting goods store


Rockville City police responded to a report of unsportsmanlike conduct at a sporting goods store Friday morning, February 23, 2024. A 2nd-degree assault was reported at a store in the 1600 block of Rockville Pike at 10:51 AM. Dick's Warehouse Sale is located on that block. At least one person was also accused of shoplifting in the incident.

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Drug bust at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda


A shoplifting call turned more serious after Montgomery County police officers responded to an incident at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda Friday afternoon, February 23, 2024. At least one individual was accused of also possessing a synthetic narcotic, and drug paraphernalia. The shoplifting incident was reported at the mall at 4:27 PM Friday.

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Second assault in 48 hours at Rockville Metro station


Rockville City police were called to the Rockville Metro station for the second time in 48 hours yesterday, February 23, 2024, after an individual reported having been assaulted there. The incident was reported at 10:00 AM Friday. The first assault, which involved a firearm, was reported at the station at 8:15 PM Wednesday night.

Friday, February 23, 2024

Aggravated assault with gun at Rockville Metro station


Rockville City police responded to a report of an aggravated assault involving a firearm at the Rockville Metro station Wednesday night, February 21, 2024. The assault was reported at the station at 8:15 PM Wednesday. 

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Rockville police to deploy new speed camera on February 26


Rockville City police will add another speed camera location "on or about" February 26, 2024. The camera will be placed in the 2500 block of Wootton Parkway, near the intersection with Fairwood Court. It will monitor southbound traffic, and issue $40 tickets to drivers exceeding the posted speed limit by 12 MPH or more. After an initial grace period, the camera will begin issuing fines on March 26, 2024.



Saturday, February 17, 2024

Police called after assault at Rockville store


Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a retail store on Rockville Pike Wednesday afternoon, February 14, 2024. The assault was reported at a store in the 700 block of Rockville Pike at 1:15 PM Wednesday.

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Police target airbag thief who targets Honda Civics in Rockville


An airbag thief struck the Twinbrook Forest neighborhood in Rockville over several recent days, and focused primarily on Honda Civics. Windows of at least four Honda Civics, along with one Acura, were smashed. The thief was successful in getting away with four of the five airbags they attempted to steal. In the fifth case, Rockville City police say, a resident saw a suspect breaking the window of a Civic in the 2300 block of Ring Street at 8:12 PM on February 10, 2024. The thief apparently noticed the resident, and fled the scene before being able to remove the vehicle's airbag.

Police describe the suspect in that case as a male of unknown race, 5'6" in height, and wearing a black beanie. If you live in Twinbrook Forest, especially near the streets in question, perhaps you have doorbell or security camera footage of the beanie-wearing suspect you can forward to police. The thefts occurred on the following streets: 1600 block of Gruenther Avenue between 9:00 PM on February 6 and 6:30 AM on February 7; 300 block of Gruenther Avenue between 4:00 AM and 6:45 AM on February 7 (you could assume that the first incident may have taken place within, or close to, the same time window as the second); 1600 block of Forbes Street between 7:00 AM and 8:30 PM on February 10; and the failed attempt noted above in the 2300 block of Ring Street at 8:12 PM on February 10.

If you have information or video footage related to these thefts, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900. Honda Civics are a popular target for airbag thieves, but not the only target. Experts recommend installing "The Club" or another anti-theft device on your steering wheel to discourage thieves, as well as installing or activating a car alarm, and parking in a well-lit area if possible.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Vandals go wild with fire extinguishers inside vacant Rockville office building


Vandals broke into a vacant Rockville office building, and hosed down the interior with fire extinguishers on January 29, 2024, Rockville City police report. The two suspects forced their way into the building in the 2000 block of Gaither Road at 2:15 PM that afternoon, and damaged two doors. This may have been related to an arson incident that same day in another vacant building in the same office park. Both buildings are among several slated for demolition in a delayed redevelopment project at the property.

Police describe Suspect 1 as a Hispanic male with a medium build, wearing glasses, a black beanie, a black jacket, and black pants. Suspect 2 is described as a Hispanic male, also with a medium build, wearing a black jacket and blue jeans. Anyone who has information regarding the suspects or this incident is asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Assault at government building in Rockville


Rockville City police were called to a government building Tuesday, February 6, 2024, after someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a building in the 300 block of N. Washington Street at 12:12 PM Tuesday. That is in the Rockville Town Center area.

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Arson in Upper Rock area of Rockville


Rockville City police are investigating a case of arson in the Upper Rock area off of Shady Grove Road. Some time between 11:30 AM on January 28, 2024 and 11:30 AM on January 29, a suspect removed a window barrier at a vacant building in the unit block of Choke Cherry Road. The suspect then set fire to a pile of trash inside the building. No estimate or description of the resulting damage was provided by police.

Several office buildings in the office park on that block were sold to Boston Properties in recent years. A Boston Properties representative told a Montgomery County government advisory board in 2022 that three of the buildings were vacant on the 31-acre site between Choke Cherry and Gaither Road. Police did not identify which specific building the arson took place at. If you have any information on this fire or the suspect, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Monday, February 5, 2024

Man throws coffee, chair at employee at Rockville restaurant


A man who was asked to move aside by an employee cleaning at a Rockville restaurant allegedly reacted with violence, according to Rockville City police. The suspect responded to the request by hurling a chair and a cup of coffee at the employee, police said. Police were called to the restaurant in the 1300 block of Rockville Pike at 1:14 AM on January 23, 2024. There is a 24-hour McDonald's on that block.

Police described the suspect as a Black male of medium-build, 5'7" in height, with a beard and a light complexion. The suspect was last seen wearing a brown sweater.  If you can identify the suspect, or you witnessed the assault, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Rockville police searching for suspect in bus stop robbery


Rockville City police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating a suspect in the January 26, 2024 strong-arm robbery at a bus stop. At 7:00 PM, the suspect approached a bus rider at a stop in the 700 block of Hungerford Drive (MD 355). "Mumbling incoherently," the suspect allegedly assaulted the bus rider, and took property from him. 

Police describe the suspect as a Black male between 30 and 40 years old, 5'3" in height, with a light complexion. He was wearing all-black clothing at the time of the robbery, and carrying duffel and book bags. Anyone with information about the suspect or this incident is asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Monday, January 29, 2024

Rockville jewelry store broken into


Rockville City police responded to a burglar alarm at a jewelry store early yesterday morning, January 28, 2024. The call came from a store in the 1500 block of Rockville Pike at 3:14 AM Sunday. Aras Jewelers is located on that block. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry to the store.