Is your home or business eligible for a Montgomery County security camera rebate?

Montgomery County has launched a new security camera rebate program for residents and businesses in select "priority areas" of the county, to combat the ongoing spike in crime. If your home is within one of these priority areas, you can receive a rebate on a security camera purchase of up to $250. So, if the camera is $250 or less, it will be free, minus installation or other costs beyond the camera itself. For businesses and non-profit organizations, the rebate tops out at $1250. 

The camera must meet certain standards set by the Montgomery County Police Department, and you must keep footage taken by the camera for at least 7 days. See all the requirements and fine print at the security camera program website.

You can check if your address is within a priority area using the Montgomery County police GIS map for the program. Among the priority areas are the Westbard commercial district, part of the Springfield neighborhood in Bethesda, parts of Rockville and Derwood near MD 355, large portions of Gaithersburg and Germantown, commercial areas of Olney and Damascus, and downtown Silver Spring. 

“Today we implemented our Private Security Camera Incentive Program, created to protect Montgomery County businesses and residents in areas experiencing relatively high incidences of crime,” County Councilmember Gabe Albornoz said in a statement. “Last year, my Council colleagues and I passed Bill 14-22, an opt-in program that lets businesses and individuals apply to receive a voucher or rebate to offset the cost of a security camera on their property. We are currently facing heightened security issues in every aspect of our daily lives. This program is even more important today than it was when it was passed a year ago. We look forward to working with MCPD to provide additional support to our businesses and residents with the greatest need.” 

Masked suspects sought in Rockville armed carjacking

Rockville City police have released more details about the armed carjacking that took place on a residential street last week. Police say the female victim was approached by several masked suspects brandishing weapons outside a home on Leonard Court in the Markwood neighborhood around 9:12 PM on November 8. The suspects obtained her SUV, purse and cell phone before fleeing the scene. If you have any information about this incident or the masked suspects, call Rockville City police at 240-314-8900.

Perfume World opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

If you're seeking a special fragrance for that special someone on your holiday shopping list this year, you are likely to find it at Perfume World. The scentsational boutique is opening a new location at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Perfume World has two existing Maryland locations, one at The Centre at Salisbury, and another at Security Square Mall near Baltimore. The Salisbury location has a high 4.5 stars out of 5 rating on Google reviews, so expectations will be high for the new Bethesda shop. When it opens, follow your nose to Perfume World on Level 2 of the mall, next to Beauty Boss.

Police respond to assault in Rockville parking lot

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault in the parking lot of a Rockville industrial area early Sunday afternoon, November 12, 2023. The assault was reported in a parking lot in the 600 block of E. Gude Drive at 12:00 PM. 

See's Candies returns to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The signs of holiday shopping season are many at Westfield Montgomery Mall ahead of the official Black Friday start, from decorations to Santa's photo area to holiday pop-up shops. Among the most-anticipated of the latter each year at the Bethesda mall is See's Candies. 102 years after its founding by the See family in Los Angeles, many of their candies still use Mary See's original recipes. Look for See's this year on Level 1, next to T-Mobile.

Police called after assault on residential street in Derwood

Montgomery County police were called to a residential street in Derwood early yesterday morning, November 11, 2023, after an individual reported being the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported in the 17400 block of Beauvoir Boulevard at 1:22 AM Saturday. That is near Mill Creek Towne Local Park.

Hangry Joe's opening Germantown location

Hangry Joe's is expanding to Germantown. The Nashville Hot Chicken chain has been rapidly growing in Montgomery County, with two existing locations in Rockville, one in Wheaton, and one in Montgomery Village. It has also announced a future Gaithersburg restaurant. But Germantown is the latest addition to the roster; the future Germantown Hangry Joe's will be in the vacant storefront at 19730 Germantown Road, in the Shops at Town Center.