Learning to Walk Hand in Hand

Residents of and are taking steps to form a better relationship with the police. In fact, they took around two miles of them.

On Saturday November 19, the two communities banded together with the City of Greenbelt and the Prince George’s County police for a walk to establish bonds between the police and the residents.

Organized by Condominium Venture, Inc., or CVI, which manages Greenbriar, Windsor Green and Chelsea Wood, the community walk started in the Chelsea Wood Condominiums, continued through the Windsor Green neighborhood and stopped at the for a dialogue before heading back to Chelsea Wood.

“We’re here to establish a better relationship with the communities here,” said Capt. Darren Disque of the Prince George’s County Police, District II. “We used to have a good one but it’s fizzled out over the years. Changes occur, people [officers] retire… it’s a lot of work to deal with different communities”

A diverse group of neighbors from young children to long-time residents, married couples and friends gathered together for the walk all with a common goal in mind: to keep their neighborhood safe.

“I think it’s really important to have gatherings and talk. We’re all neighbors. We’re all in this together,” said Greenbelt Mayor Pro-Tem Emmett Jordan. “Communication is important. We can really improve the way things happen.”

CVI has had a heightened concern over security issues at both of these properties over the past three to four months, according to Maura Hancock, CVI community manager, who co-organized this event with Matt Mericle, CVI community director.

Chelsea Wood had numerous break-ins, thefts and armed robberies, according to Hancock.

“I like the community. I don’t want it to change unless it’s for the better not the worst. That’s why I want to be more involved,” said Michele Burnett, a resident of the Windsor Green community. “It’s a great place to live. We have to fight to keep it that way.”

Halfway through the walk, participants gathered at the Greenbelt Police station to rest with hot chocolate and cookies and for an opportunity to express concerns about lighting, surveillance and other safety issues with the police officers present.

“It’s about communication and problem solving. We all have to be on the same page. That’s what public safety is all about,” Jordan said at the gathering.

Police encouraged community members to be proactive about their neighborhood safety by practicing a policy of “See something, say something.”

“Without you, we’re not going to solve anything. That’s why we need to stick together,” Capt. Disque told participants.

More than 30 people from both Windsor Green and Chelsea Wood participated in the walk. Several police officers from across the county were also present. This is the first walk of its kind here, but the community members and the city and county police are already looking forward to future community walks.

 “Anytime the community comes together and talks, it’s a success,” said Sgt. James Rodgers of the Prince George's County Police Department.

If members of the Greenbelt community have safety concerns, the Greenbelt police can be reached on the non-emergency line at 301-352-1200.