Politics & Government

Baker Highlights Work to Reform Prince George's Reputation, Education

The Prince George's County Executive highlighted his accomplishments Wednesday in the State of County Speech.

In his annual State of the County speech, Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker highlighted efforts his administration has taken to attract economic development, reduce crime, stamp out corruption and reform the county's public school system administration. 

"I believe prospective home buyers, businesses, and tourists who have stayed away from Prince George's County are beginning to come back," said Baker during his his speech, delivered before the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce at the Woodmore Country Club in Mitchellville earlier this morning. "You see it in National Harbor, you see it in Bowie, you see it in Glen Arden, you see it all across Prince George's County."

Baker's speech also highlighted efforts by law enforcement and public safety agencies which he credited with creating persistent, multi-year reductions in nearly every category of crime in Prince George's County. 

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, with 2,240 fewer crimes reported than in 2011. Overall violent crime declined 7.6 percent and property crimes declined 7.1 percent. Non-fatal shootings declined 12 percent. 

Baker said that the improvements have continued into this year, reporting an overall 14 percent reduction in crime compared to this point last year. That includes 20 percent declines in violent crimes, 31 percent declines in robberies, 11 percent declines in auto theft, and a 56 percent reduction in carjackings compared to this point last year. 

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"These are the results of innovation and collaboration between all of the Prince George's County public safety and law enforcement offices," said Baker during his speech. 

This multi-agency approach to crime reduction, part of the county's Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative, has won awards from regional government associations for its effects in bringing down crime in some of the county's roughest areas.

Baker also pledged to attract the FBI headquarters to Prince George's County, along with billions in other economic development projects, including bringing a casino to National Harbor, a Whole Foods to the Cafritz Development, and seeing through the redevelopment of the Laurel Mall into the Laurel Town Center, a mixed use development.

Baker also highlighted the recent restructuring of the Prince George's County Public School System's Board of Education which gives the county council and county executive's office the power to appoint a total of four members to the school board. 

"The new structure we have for our education system is good for our parents, good for our neighborhoods, good for our businesses, but most of all, it's good for Prince George's County," said Baker. 


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