Montgomery Community Media

Overall, crime in Montgomery County during 2020 decreased 14%, but the number of homicides, auto thefts, overdoses and fatal accidents increased, according to the recently-released Montgomery County Police Department’s 2020 Annual Report on Crime and Safety. The 37-page report often refers to the pandemic as the reason for the dip in crime. For example, it […]

Montgomery County Police arrested a suspect in connection to drug-related activity on March 25, less than a month after an arrest in connection to gang-related activity. On Feb. 28, MCPD officers arrested 19-year-old Shamauri Scott on a warrant for charges related to participation in a criminal gang, according to a press release from MCPD.  During […]

Gov. Larry Hogan toured the Public Safety Training Academy in Gaithersburg and received an update on the county’s efforts to combat gang violence from Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Police Chief Tom Manger. Hogan was asked to give an update on Maryland’s bid to lure Seattle-based Amazon to build its “HQ2” in the state. […]

Headlines for gang violence dominated 2017, with bodies found in parks and youths getting lengthy prison terms for orchestrating attacks. “In context, you have to remember that Montgomery County overall is still a very safe place to live. Our crime rate is substantially down. … When you see an aberration in violent crime in one […]

In the wake of an arrest for the Wheaton Regional Park slaying, Montgomery County Council President Roger Berliner faced questions about what the council should do to prevent further gang-related violence. Here’s the video: Previous Posts: Alleged MS-13 Member Held Without Bail for Murder Gang Activity Blamed for Two Recent Deaths Manger, McCarthy Describe How […]

The defendant facing first-degree murder charges for killing a man then burying him in Wheaton Regional Park will remain jailed without bail after a decision by a Montgomery County District Court judge Wednesday. Miguel Angel Lopez-Abrego, a 19-year-old who is believed to be an MS-13 member, was arrested Nov. 11 near Banner Elk, North Carolina, […]

Public safety news once again dominated our Top 10 stories, based on web traffic, for the past week. But we also have a football game, Montgomery County Board of Education mulling a new calendar, gubernatorial candidates and the County Council’s thoughts on the merger of two gas companies. Guidance Counselor Charged With Committing Sex Offenses […]

Montgomery County’s law enforcement agencies will monitor prison phone calls, scour social media posts and tap phone lines in its renewed effort to combat gang violence. State’s Attorney John McCarthy detailed the efforts Tuesday as police agencies and Montgomery County Public Schools signed a memo describing how they will use nearly $844,000 to fight a […]

Violent crime across the United States increased for the second year in a row, and the homicide rate jumped 7.9 percent, according to statistics released this week by the federal government. The statistics show violent crime increased 3.4 percent nationwide in 2016 after increasing 3.3 percent the year before. Suburban areas posted a slower increase […]

Lorna Virgili hosts the latest episode of County Report This Week, which begins with a report on gang activity in the county. Other stories in this week’s show include the grand reopening of the Aspen Hill Library, MCPS’ annual drive for supplies event, a new name for a swimming pool in Poolesville and more. You […]