More than 300 people packed the Herndon Council Chambers Thursday to express concerns over a recent rash of serious crimes in the Runnymede policing district and to learn how they can actively take ownership of their neighborhoods.
"Now is not the time to turn on each other, but to turn to each other," said Mayor Rick Thoesen.
The community meeting, organized by the Herndon Police, was designed to update the public on three major crimes — a home invasion, a malicious wounding and the homicide, all of which occurred in the Runnymede District since May 5. In addition, residents were told how they can become involved in protecting their neighborhoods, such as by creating a Neighborhood Watch, and to contact police with any concerns or suspicions about activities going on in their neighborhoods.
"You're not bothering us by calling us. We're here to serve your needs," said Herndon Police Chief Toussaint Summers Jr. "Take ownership of your community. You live there. Report anyone in your community, anybody, you think shouldn't be there. You would know that better than an officer."
SUMMERS SAID the three incidents were independent of each other and all happened even though there was an increased police presence in the area. He also said only the fatal shooting has been linked to gang violence.
"The three incidents had no common relationship. … One incident was gang related, not three out of three. … The problem in this town is not gangs. We do have gangs. It's a regional problem, but we don't have a serious gang problem here in Herndon," Summers said. "We get caught up in Latino youth or youth in general. Look at the suspects, all were adults, all are over 18. Two of victims weren't, they were youths. Not all of our kids are doing wrong."
Summers said the meeting was not meant to be a "gang meeting" and came armed with crime statistics to show residents how few crimes in town are actually related to gang activity.
According to police records, Summers said, in 2001 1,390 so-called Group A or serious crimes such as homicide, aggravated assault or robbery, were reported in Herndon. In 2002, that figure was 1,506 and in 2003 the number was 1,463. By comparison, in Leesburg, the reported Group A crimes for 2001 was 2,256; in 2002 the figure was 2,007 and in 2003 the number jumped to 2,215.
"No crime is good, but we do still enjoy a fairly safe community," Summers said.
He also compared the gang-related events from Jan. 1-April 30 for 2002, 2003 and 2004.
During that four-month period in 2002, a total of 1,547 crime reports — regardless of severity — were generated, of which 16 were deemed gang related. Of the 1,477 reports in 2003, 25 were contributed to gangs and in 2004 of the 1,363 reports generated, 11 have been attributed to gangs.
"Overwhelmingly a majority of the reports dealt with destruction of property such as gang-related graffiti," Summers said. "I think we did have one or two assaults in there."
Capt. Darryl Smith said the creation of the regional gang task force has also made a difference in town.
"Before the task force, you saw gang members openly flashing signs at the police. You saw gang members openly hanging around the McDonald's. You don't see them at the McDonald's anymore. You don't see them at the community center anymore," he said.
SEVERAL OF THE WRITTEN QUESTIONS submitted by residents focused on what actions are currently being taken by police and what can be done in the future:
"What is going to happen in the next 30, 40, 50 days? Why am I not seeing my community policing officer? How can we work with you?"
Summers said the smartest way to approach policing was based on crime trends, locating so-called hot spots. He said he was going to keep the increased police presence in Runnymede for now, but cautioned that that is not a solution.
"We were there and it didn't help much," Summers said. "I might have 20 people assigned to the Four Seasons and something happens in another area."
He said residents should expect to meet their community policing officer. He said the police are patrolling the area on foot and on bikes besides in their cruisers. He also said that if a resident has not met the policing officer for their neighborhood, to call.
"Staying in the car does no good. You need to know us by name and face," Summers said.
Summers stressed the importance of residents becoming involved in their neighborhoods and credited Neighborhood Watches with reducing crimes in other parts of town. The chief also suggested residents educate themselves about safety, to be vigilant in their neighborhoods and to make sure they pass on information about possible crimes to the proper authorities.
The Herndon Police non-emergency number is 703-435-6846.