Hallelujah!

The last day of July was a happy day for me. I was able to meet fellow Red Maryland contributor and Towson University Communications Professor Dr. Richard Vatz. More importantly however, I read the announcement that Prince George’s County Police Chief Melvin High is resigning, effective at the end of August. Gray skies actually did clear up that day, figuratively and literally.

The sole purpose of this column is to burst the bubbles of those who want to lavish praise on the outgoing chief…I think we are better off without him. Yes, some crime has gone down in the county over his five-year tenure. No, the homicide rate has yet to dip below 100 and that is where my problem with High is. I am a Prince George’s County resident who is proud of the fact that we are one of the most affluent counties in the country (take that Montgomery County!) Any homicide rate over 100 in a county like this is unacceptable.

As I stated earlier this year to contrast how unacceptable 100+ homicides in Prince George’s County is, I compared the homicide rates of Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties, the two jurisdictions that hug Baltimore City which almost cracked the 300 homicide mark for 2007 (they only had 278.) Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties combined had 57 homicides.

Montgomery and Prince George’s County are just outside of Washington, DC where in 2007, the District recorded 181 homicides. Montgomery County recorded 21 homicides, while my county recorded 144. Now, I am realistic that it takes time to reduce homicides, but I am not comfortable with the fact that we are second to the District when it comes to homicides while neighboring jurisdictions seem to have a better grasp of crime control than we do.

Before I continue, I am not disappointed with the rank and file officers who are out there risking there lives and keeping the community safe. They are just doing their jobs and I am proud to vouch for them. I am directing this at County Executive Jack Johnson (D) who seems not to know what accountability is if it were to bite him and the county council which is unconcerned about calling High to the carpet over this. This is the price we have paid for re-electing lousy leaders.

High was not visible during his tenure unless everything was looking good or he was rehashing the same stale crime plan that did not seem to be working. OK, I hear you guys, “Kenny, he’s the chief. He doesn’t have to be out in public.” Yes, argument sake, you would win, however, the other Chief’s in the region do make appearances every now and then. He seems to share the same view that rape is not a crime but a “relationalship” issue as evidenced in the surge in rapes this year.

He tells The Washington Post that rapes in the county happen between people who know each other and adds that the department needs to help educate and prevent the attacks. Pardon me in asking what the hell difference does it make? Rape is a crime whether they know each other or not. It should not be denigrated as a relationship problem because the parties involved happen to know each other. Has anyone in county government heard of date rape? Oh and by the way, that is a crime. Overall between High, Johnson and Salisbury City Councilwoman Shanie Shields, I am tired of leaders trying to bastardize a crime because of the circumstances. There are still victims involved and they are hurting.

Johnson should do the county a favor and leave the person who will be leading the department in the interim, Assistant Chief Roberto Hylton, in place for the rest of his term and not worry about finding a permanent replacement. I am hoping that Hylton observes how not to crack down on crime by watching High before his appointment.

Now to Mr. High, I do thank you for your service to the community because it is not easy running a police department and not many people make a go at it. But I cannot lie to myself in thinking that you did an admirable job, let alone a good job. Good luck in your future endeavors and please go quickly.