Strong-arm robbery near Rockville Metro station

Rockville City police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in an industrial area near the Rockville Metro station late Wednesday afternoon, March 20, 2024. The robbery was reported in the 100 block of N. Stonestreet Avenue at 5:38 PM. It occurred along the street on a busy block with many repair shops.

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda yesterday afternoon, March 21, 2024. The assault was reported at the mall at 3:06 PM Thursday. This is the third assault committed at the mall this year. Like the first two in 2024, yesterday's assault was related to a shoplifting incident at a store in the mall. 

The mall is currently on a pace to equal the number of assaults reported at the popular retail center in 2022, which was 12. That would be more than double the total assault reports at the mall last year, when only 5 such incidents were reported. Last year's drop in violent crime at the property came after Montgomery County police established a "resource room" inside the mall.

Rockville apartment residents brawl with food delivery driver after "inappropriate question"

A food delivery app driver provoked a fight in the lobby of a customer's Rockville apartment building by asking the customer an "inappropriate question," Rockville City police say. The customer and another resident of the building in the 200 block of Congressional Lane then confronted the driver. Police were called after a physical brawl among the three ensued in the lobby of the building. The fight occurred at 10:45 PM on March 9, 2024.

Gaithersburg, upper Montgomery County residents may see a police drone tonight

Gaithersburg and upper Montgomery County residents may see a police drone flying and hovering over the area tonight. The Montgomery County Police Department announced this morning that it plans an Unmanned Aerial System drone draining session tonight, March 20, 2024 in that area of the county. "[T]here is no reason for alarm," the department said in a statement posted on social media regarding the planned drone maneuvers. MCPD utilizes a DJI Matrice 300 RTK, which operates at altitudes between 200 and 400 feet.

Rockville man shot twice on St. Patrick's Day

A Rockville man suffered two non-life-threatening gunshot wounds in a St. Patrick's Day shooting on Rockville Pike. Rockville City police responded to a 911 call about the shooting in the 1000 block of Rockville Pike at 4:00 AM Sunday. Officers arriving at the scene found the victim suffering from the wounds at the Woodmont Park Apartments. He was transported to a local hospital, where police say he was later declared to be in stable condition. 

Detectives have not yet stated whether they know the identity of the suspected shooter. But they have said that they have reason to believe there is no threat posed to the general public in relation to this incident. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Cpl. Andreas Floros at 240-314-8959, or via email at AFloros@RockvilleMD.Gov. Tipsters may choose to remain anonymous.

Assault at Rockville grocery store

Rockville City police were called to a grocery store after someone reported having been the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a store in the 200 block of N. Washington Street on March 15, 2024 at 11:22 AM. Dawson's Market at Rockville Town Square is located on that block. 

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.