Daniel Fowler, The Examiner
2007-04-13 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

Prince George’s County -

In the midst of a surge in homicides, Prince George’s County Police may receive FBI assistance with lab work and other forms of cooperation.

Police spokeswoman Sharon Taylor said Police Chief Melvin High and FBI Baltimore’s Special Agent in Charge William Chase discussed last week how the agency might assist with lab work and help police bring serial criminals into the federal prosecution system, where sentencing guidelines are tougher.

“We will make available any resources that we possibly can,” FBI Baltimore spokeswoman Michelle Crnkovich said Thursday.

The FBI and police, Crnkovich said, “are working out a plan where we can be of assistance to them.”

U.S. Rep. Albert Wynn, D-Md., sent a letter to Chase last month asking for assistance in “closing numerous open murder cases” in the county.

Options for assistance, Crnkovich said, could include “services, resources, personnel.”

But Taylor said she doesn't anticipate a formal plan “because we work with the FBI all the time.”

County police said they have handled 45 homicides this year through Thursday, compared with 27 last year.

“I think it's a good first step,” Wynn said of the meeting.

“We just want to get a commitment for their involvement,” Wynn said. “And they have to assess what they can realistically do.”

Wynn said he would be in touch with Chase and High.

“They are on the ground,” he said. “They are the ones that are going to have to do it. My role is to be supportive and encourage the interaction.”

dfowler@dcexaminer.com