There are some that hang out on Alfred Drive. They munched down many of my
azaleas, and certainly the forsythia. Hostas and sedum have long since been
consumed. I wish we had some real solutions.
Anne B.
On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 08:42:09 PM EDT, Sally Brucker
<sbrucker2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Are we all Okay with this?
On Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 7:38 PM Julie Huff <jhuff009@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
We now have two who seem to spend the night in our yard.
On Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 7:37 PM Catherine Bernard
<catherinebernard6363@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I just passed four young ones huddled in the bushes on Anne Glusker’s front yard
On Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 7:12 PM Sally Brucker <sbrucker2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I just shooed seven deer from my property. Theo told me he had seen seven but I
didn’t believe him, really? I don’t know about anyone else, but this seems
excessive to me.
On Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 5:40 PM Milford Sprecher <milford.sprecher@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Neighbors,
I pass along this announcement I received from Councilmember Stewart’s office
regarding public safety in downtown Silver Spring.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Stewart's Office, Councilmember
<Councilmember.Stewart@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 3:45 PM
Subject: RE: E-mail I sent earlier
To: Milford Sprecher <milford.sprecher@xxxxxxxxx>
Thank you again for your email. I wanted to share information about the
community event on March 26th. Please see the attached flyer.
Best
Kate
From: Milford Sprecher <milford.sprecher@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 3:24 PM
To: Stewart's Office, Councilmember
<Councilmember.Stewart@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: E-mail I sent earlier
[EXTERNAL EMAIL]
Dear Councilmember Stewart,
Thank you for your call and thoughtful response. I saw the call, but let it go
to vm as I didn't know the number.
I am pleased to read about the efforts underway to improve safety in downtown
Silver Spring. While we don't know what has caused the uptick in crime there
(and in Takoma Park, it seems), but investigation and arrests after the fact
and meaningful preventative measures will probably help. I have seen the
cameras and while additional surveillance is unsettling, it should be a
deterrent. I am glad to see foot patrols will be implemented, as well.
The seemingly senseless murder in the parking garage is particularly
unsettling. I have often parked in that garage and the fact a crime occurred
there is quite unsettling. We can't get the cameras in the garages soon
enough.
I have read that the county police force is down from its authorized number of
officers. Hopefully we can get an adequate number of new recruits to bring the
police force up to its authorized strength.
Finally, additional gun control measures can help. With the country awash in
guns, I understand the apprehension our police officers must feel as they go
about their daily patrols. Unfortunately, our proximity to Washington, DC and
Virgina make this a region-wide and state-wide problem, as you pointed out.
Thanks for taking the time to respond to me.
Very truly yours,
Milford
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 9:41 PM Stewart's Office, Councilmember
<Councilmember.Stewart@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dear Milford –
I left you a voice mail tonight. I am not sure what happened regarding your
first email. I am sorry we did not respond in a timely manner.
I very much appreciate you reaching out. Apologies this is a long email but
want to update you on what we have been and plan to be doing.
My family has been here over 25 years and I have seen many changes in Silver
Spring. I am committed to making sure we have a vibrant, safe downtown. The
trends related to crime, especially violent crime, and public safety across the
country and here in Montgomery County are concerning and distressing. Downtown
Silver Spring continues to have challenges with public safety and I am
monitoring and talking with our police department and County Executive office
about how we are responding. Over the last year, measures have been put in
place to curb crime and we have started to see the results of these measures in
certain areas, however, tragic events have occurred that impact our community.
The tragedy where a resident was murdered in the Wayne Street garage hit close
to home. As some have reported, this is a family that I have known for many
years. While this has been a nightmare, I know measures are being taken to
increase safety in the parking garages. The County Executive is working on a
proposal to install cameras, and in the short term officers are patrolling the
county garages on foot.
And after the recent carjackings my staff has met with the police and
representatives of the County Executive’s office to consider many ways to
address the concerning uptick of violence.
A few weeks ago, I joined the County Executive when he proposed a Late Night
Business Safety Plan Legislation which the council will be taking up. This bill
aims to establish a system for late-night businesses to develop and share
security plans with MCPD. These plans will include essential measures such as
lighting, cameras and other security enhancements. The bill will also authorize
police to set the requirements for an acceptable safety plan and review and
approve them.
In addition, I joined my colleagues and my staff and I were briefed by
Montgomery County Police leadership. We need to continue to find community
solutions to the trends related to crime and find ways to prevent crime. We
have seen some results in responding to crime because of measures that have
been put in place by MCPD. For example, we learned that only one homicide
remains unsolved for those that occurred in 2022, and the unsolved murder is
the one I mentioned above that took place in late December. In addition, police
have in custody the individual responsible for the recent stabbings that took
place at the Colesville Road McDonalds near the Silver Spring Transit Station
in early January, as well as the individual responsible for the shooting that
took place at Summit Hills Apartments.
Here are just some of the things we are doing to address these issues – and we
need to continue to look at more ways to support our businesses and address
other issues:
· Increased the number of police officers in DTSS and added a District
Community Action Team or DCAT.
· Officers and security guards added to garages.
· State troopers assisting on Friday and Saturday evenings
· Beginning soon, foot patrols seven days a week from 10am to 3pm
· Increase partnership with businesses to hire security
· Additional cameras in the area have been approved.
· Looking into placing cruisers in highly visible areas in DTSS.
· And, surrounding neighborhood patrols
As we continue these efforts, we need to consider all elements of how the
community, elected officials and our police work to find ways to co-produce and
promote public safety so that we are not just responding to but preventing
these incidents.
When I was elected to the County Council in November, I requested a ride along
in Downtown Silver Spring with the Montgomery County Police. My staff and I
joined the District Community Action Team (DCAT) for a ride along just weeks
into my term.
I did this ride along to better understand the landscape of Silver Spring
specifically at night and how the police were patrolling the area. As noted by
the officers we spent time with, Silver Spring is not unique in the post
pandemic challenges around crime. Many areas around the region have seen
similar problems, from DC to Prince George's County as well as Northern
Virginia. That does not mean we should not do everything we can to curb
violence and criminal activity, but the context is an important element of
understanding the current state of activity across many jurisdictions. While
this was the first ride-along I joined as a County Councilmember, I also
benefit from years of working with the Takoma Park Police Department in my
previous role as Mayor of Takoma Park. While these are good experiences to
inform me about the state of public safety in my district, they will not be the
end of my work and efforts to understand these challenges.
I have been looking at the best ways to bring together members of our community
and work towards solutions to make sure Silver Spring remains the kind of place
that we want and call home. I am committed to this work and if you have time I
would like to hear more your viewpoints and concerns about Silver Spring and
the surrounding areas. Happy to talk by phone, meet for coffee or bring
together a group of residents in your neighborhood. We are looking to hold a
larger community meeting on March 26th with the Council President and
confirming the date and time.
In addition, there are a number of bills in the state legislature regarding gun
safety that I have asked and my colleagues on the County Council support and we
are advocating for in Annapolis. I can send you information on those bills if
you would like to contact the sponsors and help move them forward.
Best,
Kate
From:Milford Sprecher <milford.sprecher@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 5:23 PM
To: Stewart's Office, Councilmember
<Councilmember.Stewart@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: E-mail I sent earlier
[EXTERNAL EMAIL]
Hello,
On February 15 I sent an e-mail about my concerns about crime in downtown
Silver Spring and particularly the parking garages. As far as I can see, I
have not received any response to what I sent. Why is that?
Very truly yours,
Milford Sprecher
--
Milford H. Sprecher
525 Albany Ave.
Takoma Park, MD 20912
301-830-2198
For more helpful Cybersecurity Resources, visit:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cybersecurity
--
Milford H. Sprecher
525 Albany Ave.
Takoma Park, MD 20912
301-830-2198
--
Milford H. Sprecher
525 Albany Ave.
Takoma Park, MD 20912
301-830-2198
--
Time and trouble will tame an advanced young woman, but an advanced old woman
is uncontrollable by any earthly force. Dorothy L. Sayers
Sally Brucker ATR-BC, LCSW-C, CAGShttp//www.sallybrucker.com
301 213 2334
--
Catherine Bernard
Notice: This communication, including attachments, may contain information that
is confidential. If the reader or recipient of this communication is not the
intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and
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--
Time and trouble will tame an advanced young woman, but an advanced old woman
is uncontrollable by any earthly force. Dorothy L. Sayers
Sally Brucker ATR-BC, LCSW-C, CAGShttp//www.sallybrucker.com
301 213 2334
