Sommerset Security Committee Findings July, 2002

VII Committee Conclusions and Recommendations

The Security Committee, in a short amount of time and with limited resources, has undertaken a major study and reached a set of unanimous conclusions and recommendations. The Committee members consider this extraordinary, considering that at the start of the meetings, members held very different points of view about crime, security and policing needs in Somerset. The Committee has tried to report the results of its research and findings as objectively as possible, without resorting to innuendo or provocative statements that might distort the information.

1. Overall Committee Conclusions and Recommendations

The Security Committee has concluded that a comprehensive, community­wide approach to crime prevention is necessary to reduce crime and to keep Somerset residents safe and secure. Such an approach should include the active involvement of individual residents, the Town as a governing body, and the police. Each group is a necessary part of any effective crime prevention program.

While the deterrence aspect of a police presence is integral to any crime prevention program, individual households are responsible for the first line of their residential and personal security. The Committee has concluded that many measures can be taken by residents and the Town which will significantly reduce crime, and that a privately hired Town police/security presence will not substitute for these measures unless there is a significant daily, visible police/security presence. In view of the survey finding that residents are reluctant to spend money on even a limited police presence, the Committee suggests that any consideration of the Town hiring off-duty police/security personnel be delayed until resident and Town measures have been implemented, including efforts to involve the Montgomery County Police Department in Town affairs in a variety of ways. Once individual and Town measures have operated for a period of time, the question of whether to hire and strategically deploy an off-duty police/security patrol in Town can be reconsidered by a Standing Security Committee that reports regularly to the Mayor and Town Council, and is directed by that body to develop a plan which is customized to Somerset's needs.

2. Selected Conclusions Regarding Crime in Somerset

·         Crime in Somerset has been stable, if not decreasing, over a twenty year period. The total number of crimes reported by residents in the three-year period ending 2001 (69 reported crimes) is lower than the total number of crimes reported in the three year period ending 1982 (81 reported). While this does not negate the fact that Somerset has crime, and that the residents and the Town should consider ways to decrease its incidence, it does highlight the fact that a one-time spike in crime, as the Town seems to have had in 2001, or dip in crime (as in 2000) should not be viewed as a trend.

·         Crime in Somerset is of a relatively minor nature. Actual break ins of a locked house, car, or garage account for less than 10% of total crime over the last three years. While the seriousness of these crimes should not be minimized, the overwhelming proportion of incidents involve taking items from unlocked cars and yards or damaging property.

·         Over the years 1999 to 2001, reported crime in Somerset rose slightly (24 incidents in 1999, 17 in 2000, 28 in 2001 +), although the increase is too small to indicate a trend, especially following a dip in crime in 2000.

·         Over the years 1999 to March 2002, the proportion of reported incidents of Burglary/Larceny increased (1999.33 % of reported crime, 2000-41 %,2001·50%) as the proportion of reported incidents of Vandalism decreased. There were no reports of Robbery/Mugging or Assaults. Burglary/Larceny incidents range from the taking of a portable telephone from unlocked car to the break-in of a residence (typically backdoor or basement window) to steal cash and jewelry. Vandalism incidents range from putting toilet paper in the trees on Halloween to throwing eggs at a house or car.

·         The number of crimes for which residents completed the Detailed Crime Report Form was too small from which to identify significant crime patterns. However, based on this small sample, more criminal activity appears to occur at night, on weekdays, and in the late spring/summer months.

·         A large proportion of criminal incidents reported on the Crime/Security Survey are not reported to the Montgomery County Police Department. For example, MCPD records list 11 crime incidents in Somerset in 2000 while 17 were reported in the survey; 18 were reported to the MCPD in 2001 while 28 were reported in the survey.

·         The overwhelming percentage of Somerset residents feel safe in Town (87% of the 196 surveys completed). Those who do not feel safe, largely feel unsafe at night.

·         One-third of the respondents to the Crime/Security Survey feel that crime is increasing. Once a household has been a victim of crime, respondents are more likely to believe that crime is on the rise.

·         Crime in Somerset could be significantly reduced if residents locked their homes and cars. Based on an analysis of crimes reported in the Crime/Security Survey, a large percentage of reported criminal incidents involved theft from cars and homes that were unlocked.

·         Somerset residents support a series of Town measures to increase security, which range from trying to increase Montgomery County police patrols in Town, to offering a security education program to residents, to providing brighter/additional street lighting (see Table 4, p.19). Town actions that received the highest percentage of "do not support" responses range from hiring off-duty-private security patrols to installing speed detectors on Town streets (see Table 5, p.19).

·         A majority of respondents (60 % ) favor hiring off-duty police or having a security force patrol Somerset if such hiring would not raise taxes or cause a cutback of some other Town service. This supports drops to approximately 36% if this patrol would cause an increase in taxes or a cutback in other Town services.

·         The amount and nature of crime in Somerset appears to be very similar to crime in neighboring jurisdictions that currently employ off-duty/security patrols. Interviews with neighboring association heads and representatives of the Montgomery County Police Department indicate that neighborhoods that employ off-duty police/security patrols are subject to crime patterns that are similar to that of the Town of Somerset.

The above conclusions represent only a small part of the findings that appear in the body of this report, and to understand the recommendations that follow, cannot substitute for a close reading of the entire report.

3. General Recommendations for Increasing Security in Somerset

Everything the Committee has learned from Somerset residents, neighboring communities, the Montgomery County Police Department, and national studies of crime prevention, have led it to conclude that in order to have a safe environment there must be a comprehensive effort by the entire community, working both individually and as a Town. The entire Town must be supportive, engaged and mobilized. No one measure will work in isolation to decrease crime, including a limited police/patrol presence in Somerset.

While a significant daily. visible. police/security presence is likely to deter and detect crime (unfortunately, to an unknown and immeasurable degree), the financial costs involved for such a presence are high, and the differing opinions and security concerns of Somerset residents (as voiced in the Crime/Security Survey) are diverse enough to warrant additional community discussion before such a major undertaking and commitment is planned. The nature of most of the crime in Somerset almost dictates that prevention and deterrence is primarily the responsibility of its residents, and that minimal changes in lifestyle will produce maximum changes in crime reduction. The suggestions for resident and Town actions that follow are relatively low cost, and are strongly favored by the majority of residents who completed the Security Survey.

Particularly in small jurisdictions such as ours, an extraordinary violent crime or a short-term spike in property crime is a reminder that we are living next to a large urban area which has a significantly higher crime rate, especially in crimes against the person. There is no doubt that a set of unusual circumstances might warrant the strategic deployment of a police/security presence on a temporary basis. However, there appears to be many low-cost measures that can be taken by both individual households and the Town that will decrease crime considerably, before a costly commitment to a routine police patrol is entertained.

It is also the Committee’s contention that while suggested resident and Town measures will deter crime, the unanticipated consequences of a community approach will be the social bonds across differing "communities" within Somerset that will be created and reinforced - which according to the Long Range Planning Committee’s survey is a priority of most residents. Currently, divergent opinions among residents about crime and its prevention in Somerset are needlessly sharpening and dividing the Town. In this regard it should be remembered that the Town of Somerset is the sine qua non of grassroots democracy, and that tolerance of differences has always been the strength behind the community, as it is behind America.

Prevention of crime means addressing the conditions that lead to, and even encourage, crime. The largest percentage of crime in Somerset, whether categorized as Burglary/Larceny or Vandalism, consists primarily of crimes of opportunity which can easily be decreased by minor changes in behavior on the part of Town residents.

Everyone in Somerset wants as much safety and security as possible for themselves and their neighbors. This was indicated on the Long Range Planning Committee survey, and it is indicated on the Crime/Security Survey. However, the overwhelming number of respondents to the Crime/Security Survey do not feel threatened; they feel safe in Town. It is this Committee's conclusion that the nature of the problems should dictate the solutions proposed, and that measures that appeal primarily to emotions will not be effective and will ultimately serve no purpose.

It is only being realistic to note that it is not possible to eliminate all crime in Somerset, regardless of how much effort and money is expended in crime prevention measures. The Security Committee would also be remiss if it did not take note of the considerable amount of construction going on in Town, the large number of sub­contractors and work crews on most streets, and the ensuing problem of not knowing who "belongs"" in Town on any given day. Since future growth in the Bethesda/Friendship Heights area will increase business, traffic, and non-residents coming into or going through Town, the Committee strongly recommends that all of the following measures be taken so that these changes do not increase crime in Somerset.

4. Actions to be Taken by Individual Residents

As simple as the following measures appear, the Committee believes that they will decrease crime in Somerset considerably. Not to implement them would be irresponsible.

·         Report all crime incidents to the Montgomery County Police Department. The greatest agreement by residents on crime prevention measures to be taken was for "increased Montgomery County police patrols in the area." Since the Commander of the Bethesda police force has already informed the Citizens Coordinating Committee of Friendship Heights that the police fed the area is safe, and increased patrols are not likely, the Committee is suggesting that all crime needs to be reported in order to get the attention of the police. Since Town residents under-report criminal incidents that are not of a threatening nature, the MCPD under-records crime in Somerset and under-appreciates the concerns of Somerset residents.

·         Have police inspectors advise residents on "crime proofing" their homes. This is a service that the Montgomery County Police Department provides at no cost. While Somerset has a highly educated community, crimes which have occurred which could have been so easily prevented lead the Committee to believe that more resident education is needed about crime and its prevention. For the most part, incidents involving residential break-ins involved prying open locks on doors and windows.

·         Activate a home security system when residents leave home. While the Town is fortunate that very few crimes involved a residential break-in, the break-ins occurred both day and night, and throughout the week, when no one was at home. While activating an alarm system may not be necessary when someone is on the premises, it is recommended any time a house is left unoccupied. Several of the break-ins might have been prevented if an existing security system had been activated or a system of good locks- actually locked.

·         Lock cars when they are in the street or driveway, day or night. The largest percentage of crimes listed as Vandalism, and several which residents listed as Burglary/Larceny, involved theft from an unlocked car. Since the greatest number of crimes in Somerset is what the police describe as "crimes of opportunity,"" it stands to reason that the number of criminal incidents will fall if opportunity decreases.

·         Lock house doors and garages when away from home. While crime cannot be prevented entirely, all detailed incidents that involved a theft from a garage indicated that the garage was open at the time.

·         Take appropriate security measures when you leave home on vacation/business. The Town can supply a complimentary set of Suggested Tips on making your property more secure each day, and when you are on vacation.

·         Watch out for your neighbors. Can the police when there are unusual activities or suspicious solicitors or cyclists, and take down license plates of cars that seem out of context in the neighborhood.

5. Actions to be Taken by the Town

The following suggestions are based upon opinions of residents, as voiced in the Crime/Security Survey, and information gathered by the Committee on effective crime prevention approaches in the national literature for communities such as Somerset. The Committee has concluded that a comprehensive, community-wide approach is required to prevent crime and increase security. This notion was reinforced by residents~ support for a broad set of actions which they felt the Town should initiate. The listing which follows is in the order of resident support, as tabulated from the Crime/Security Survey.

·         The Town Council and Mayor should take steps to increase the likelihood of achieving additional MCPD patrols. There are a variety of issues in which the Town and individual residents should be involved, from coordinating crime prevention with neighboring jurisdictions, to supporting county initiatives (e.g. police access to schools, grants for additional officers), to reporting all criminal incidents within Somerset, which would serve Somerset's interest in achieving a greater police presence in Town.

·         The Town should report crime information on a continuing basis and communicate it to residents. The Town might consider conducting a campaign for residents to register their email address with the Town (for quick access to crime information), adding a monthly "crime watch" column to the Somerset Journal (with prevention tips as well as crime reports), designing a telephone "tree" for instant messaging, and distributing to residents the MCPD Community Crime Alert which is sent to the Town weekly.

·         The Town should help residents institute a community crime prevention program, such as a Neighborhood Watch Program or a citizen observer patrol. National studies and police departments have consistently identified the importance of community involvement in crime deterrence and detection.

·         The Town should organize a Town Meeting/Security Day on crime prevention and security education. Given the nature of crime which primarily occurs in Somerset (e.g. theft of visible property left outdoors, theft from unlocked cars) and the fact that crimes occur throughout the day and night, the Security Committee feels that the majority of crime would be prevented if individuals took responsibility for those measures within their power to implement. A Town Meeting/Security Day would provide both assistance and education to residents on preventing crime.

·         The Town should provide brighter/additional streetlights in Somerset. Studies consistently demonstrate the importance of good lighting in deterring crime, and the Crime/Security Survey reveals that (1) it is high on residents' list of desired Town security measures, and (2) that residents are fearful at night.

·         The Town should install crime deterrence signs, such as "no soliciting"" or "police patrolled."" These are low-cost options which are considered deterrence measures, although the ability to measure their effectiveness is minimal. What the "no soliciting" sign does provide, however, is a justification to call the police when unwanted solicitors appear in Town.

·         The Town should negotiate discount prices on home security systems. According to the Crime/Security Survey, 42% of respondents currently have home security systems, although informal interviews with residents by the Committee suggest that they are not consistently activated.

·         The Town should provide resident parking stickers and parking stickers for guests. While this issue has definitely been an off-and-on ­again topic of discussion at Town meetings, it appears to be a priority among survey respondents.

·         The Town should make the Town Hall available for police use. This suggestion from residents appears to be one way of encouraging additional Montgomery County police to be in Town.

·         The Town should encourage residents to contact and use the free advisory services of the MCPD on crime-proofing their residences. Although most crimes in Somerset involve theft of articles or property damage to articles that are outside the home, a residential break-in is more personally and physically threatening. The police, as part of their crime-proofing inspection of a residence, offer a great deal of security education for the attentive consumer as well as practical suggestions for improving the security of a residence.

In addition to the above measures, which all received more than 50% support of the respondents to the Crime/Security Survey, the Committee also suggests the following measures:

·         Undertake a Crime/Security survey every three years in order to determine change in the nature and extent of crime in Somerset, track and measure perceptions of crime and security, and recommend appropriate individual and Town prevention measures.

·         Distribute a set of Security Tips that the Security Committee has identified as particularly helpful to Somerset households.

·         Establish a Standing Security Committee to oversee and help implement the recommendations of this report, identify resources needed, establish a time-line for implementation, and report back to the Town Council.

This report is respectfully submitted to the Mayor and Town Council, July 2002, by the Somerset Security Committee.