Daniel Fowler, The Examiner
2007-10-02 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

Prince George’s County -

Prince George’s residents get to have their say tonight as county officials consider building 20 new fire stations, four new police stations and hiring at least 700 additional police officers.

Those are just some of the recommendations included in the planning department’s preliminary Public Safety Facilities Master plan, which is the subject of a 7 p.m. public hearing at the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro.

“This is the beginning of the formal adoption process and we want to hear from the public on the entire plan,” said Chris Izzo, project manager for the plan.

The Prince George’s Planning Board and County Council are holding the joint public hearing. “I think what the plan sets out to do is allow for a public discussion on what our public safety should look like in the county,” said County Council Vice Chair David Harrington.

“So, I think it's important for the public to one be aware that we are having the discussion … and to ultimately weigh in on the discussion.”

The plan would update the county’s 1990 Public Safety Master Plan, when the population was 729,268. The county now has more than 846,000 residents. But even if the plan is approved, it doesn’t guarantee the suggestions will come to fruition, Izzo said.

The report also recommends renovations to the police headquarters and special operations building and renovations or replacements of 15 other fire stations.

It also encourages the county to consider legislation that would require people convicted of crimes to pay a surcharge that would go to its Police Department.

Both the Planning Board and the County Council can amend the proposed plan. After the hearing, it will be referred to the Planning Board, which will have public meetings and likely approve it in late November or early December, Izzo said. Then the plan goes to the council for an eventual vote.

dfowler@dcexaminer.com