Have there really been all that many instances of crime around the Ellsworth corridor?

My stats come from the MoCo PD’s crime updates. Those numbers are what they are. In this story, Lt Auger does not present hard numbers, but he says:

“There’s definitely a gang presence down there,” … While the problem isn’t huge, Auger said downtown’s human swarms make it difficult to keep the area in check.

I believe the perception of crime depends on one’s expectations of Silver Spring’s revitalization. For some, one fight on Ellsworth Drive marks the end of civilization. For others, it’s just teens being stupid.

First, the whole “Metro Theory” of crime in Silver Spring is just plain loony. As someone pointed out, there are Metro stations in Bethesda, but you don’t see groups of marauding teens roaming the downtown over there.

I’ll present a different theory: It’s called “Hit ‘Em Where They Ain’t”. Coined for a no-brainer baseball strategy, it applies rather well to the situation here in Silver Spring. Criminals aren’t stupid. They commit crimes in areas that present the possibly of high rewards and low risk of getting caught. So, downtown SS, with its–what, three?–cops for every 5,000 visitors is a great place to operate. And the prospects are even better in the residential areas around the city center.

I would argue, based on anecdotal evidence and a weekly reading of the local paper’s crime page, that the actual incidence of crime is *higher* in the residential neighborhoods surrounding downtown, than it is in the Ellsworth open-mall area.

(Does anyone have actual numbers to compare? Jennifer? Have there really been all that many instances of crime around the Ellsworth corridor? I’m really interested, because–let’s be frank–a lot of [white] people have a false sense of fear down there simply because they’re made “uncomfortable” by the presence of black and brown teenagers. Granted, some of those teens are being “loud” or “rude”–but nothing out of the realm of ordinary teen behavior.)

Anyway, Bethesda doesn’t have these problems for a few reasons.

1) Cops are visible and responsive over there.

2) Bethesda doesn’t border the kinds of DC neighborhoods that Silver Spring borders. Are there any movie theaters or shopping areas in Petworth or whatever? No. Kids in those neighborhoods come here because its closer than downtown DC and easy to get to.

The irony is that now that the downtown has been rennovated, I am driving more than I ever have and walking less.

Whatever you believe the reason is for this change, it has changed by quality of life and I will be working toward solutions, including pushing the County for more protection.

Whatever the reason, it is sad.

I fully believe that there is an increase in crime. Especially since my neighbors had their car to broken in to just the other day. And we live on one of the “nicer streets.”

Please stop trying to change the argument to something political. The point here is the increase in crime and the fact that the MoCo police don’t have the man power to address the crowded situation Downtown. Last time I checked, criminals will hit a target regardless of their political beliefs. What are we citizens going to do about it? Stop blaming and start brainstorming!

Thank you for your time.

“The so-called gangs are just young kids with nothing better to do. … You can thank the metro for our problems.”

There are indeed kids who have nothing better to do than work out their Ultimate Fighting moves on the turf.

Then there are kids who deal drugs, tag private property and mug people as an “organized” (used loosely) group. Those are the gangs that Lt Auger spoke of.

As far as Metro being the root of crime in Silver Spring, I would disagree. Long Branch and parts of Takoma Park have issues with crime, but no Metro in sight. Ditto for Gaithersburg.

Ultimately, I believe crime is about the haves versus the have-nots, and I’m not just talking about money.

Thanks for sharing your views, Fed Up Dem.

There is a metro station in Downtown Bethesda. Do they have the same problems? Maybe you should stop being so “fed up” and start “looking up” your sources (and your spelling).

Editor’s note: Do our county’s public-education system proud — PLEASE check your spelling and avoid text-messaging abbreviations. Thank you! (June 6, 2007)