WEEKLY BULLETIN | October 7, 2022

College Park Day

Saturday, October 15 | 12:00-6:00pm | College Park Aviation Museum

This year we'll have a dedicated kids area and family stage, lots of amazing performers, thrilling games and activities, delicious food and more. Check out the lineup at www.collegeparkday.org. 

Volunteers are still needed! There are lots of different opportunities like set-up/breakdown, games, stage, welcome table and more!  Email events@collegeparkmd.gov with the subject line "Volunteer" for more information!

SmartLeaf Compost and Wood Mulch

Compost is $28.00 per cubic yard, and wood mulch is $12.00 per cubic yard. Material may be picked up Mon.-Fri. between 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Material is available year-round (while supplies last) at the Department of Public Works, 9217 51st Avenue, College Park, MD 20740. Delivery is available through October and can be arranged for an additional fee - click here to place an order.

SPECIAL SATURDAY AVAILABILITY

During Public Work’s clean-up days, October 8 and October 22, 2022, the public can pick up material from 7:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. You do not need to be a resident to purchase.

For more information on compost click here, or wood mulch click here. For further questions, please call 240-487-3593.

For more information about purchasing Compost or Wood Mulch please visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/gardens.

Redistricting Commission

The City Charter (§C2-2, "Districts") requires that the Council review council district boundaries at least once every 10 years, soon after the decennial census is available.

Since May 2022, the Redistricting Commission has been reviewing population data from the 2020 Census, the University of Maryland's residential population, and projections for residential projects under construction. 

Residents can review preliminary redistricting maps and provide public comment at

 www.collegeparkmdredistricting2022.com. 

Curbside Food Scrap Collection

The City of College Park is rolling out a new curbside food scrap collection program later this fall!

If your household currently receives curbside trash and recycling collection within the City of College Park, then you are eligible to participate; residential collections only.

How Do I Sign Up?

Residents can sign up online and choose container(s). Participants are required to select either a 12-gallon wheeled cart ($13.00), or a 5-gallon bucket ($9.00). Participants can also choose to purchase a small kitchen pail ($5.00) to store food scraps inside their homes.

Participants currently using the drop-off program who have a City-supplied 5-gallon bucket can continue to use it; no personal containers can be used to curbside collections.

For more information, call 240-487-3590 or visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/foodscraps.

Washington Gas Work

Resurface Inc., a contractor for Washington Gas, will continue work on street repairs in North College Park until next week due to weather-related delays. Parking restrictions have been posted by the contractor.

The following areas will be affected: 

• 9200-Block and 9500-Block of 48th Avenue
• 4900-Block of Erie Street
• 4900-Block of Fox Street
• 4800- and 4900-Blocks of Niagara Road
• 9900-Block of 51st Avenue
• 5000-Block of Nantucket Road
• 4800-Block of Delaware Street
• 9000 and 9100 blocks of Autoville Drive

Please contact engineering@collegeparkmd.gov with any questions. 

Street Repairs Notice

This month, NZI Construction, a contractor for the City of College Park, will be working on miscellaneous repairs throughout the City. Please stay alert and slow down in work zones.

The following areas will be affected:

1. Edmonston Road between Old Calvert Road and Radcliffe Drive
2. Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail between Tecumseh Street and Greenbelt Road
3. 8500-Block of 48th Avenue
4. 8300-Block of 49th Avenue

Please contact engineering@collegeparkmd.gov with any questions.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Purple Light Nights

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Symbolized by the color purple, the month advocates for the elimination of relationship violence. City Hall, the Department of Public Works, and the Youth and Family Services buildings will be lit up in purple lights to raise awareness.

Many people suffer psychological, emotional, and economic stress in abusive relationships and need counseling and support. If you or someone you know is a victim or survivor of domestic violence, find assistance and resources at:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1 (800) 799-SAFE (7233)
• National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 866-331-9474
• Care to Stop Violence at UMD

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. By increasing public knowledge about the importance of early detection of breast cancer and regular mammograms, we can all join in the fight to eradicate the disease. 

Indigenous Peoples' Day

The College Park City Council now recognizes the 10th day of October as Indigenous Peoples' Day. First proposed in 1977, the day recognizes the contributions of Indigenous Peoples that have shaped the character of our nation- especially the Algonquin, Iroquois, Piscataway, and Sioux tribes native to Maryland. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

College Park Day

Saturday, October 15 | 12:00-6:00pm | College Park Aviation Museum

Join us for College Park Day next Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the College Park Aviation Museum and Airport (1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive)! The event is open to the public and free to attend.  

This year we'll have a dedicated kids area and family stage, lots of amazing performers, thrilling games and activities, delicious food and more. Check out the lineup at www.collegeparkday.org. 

Want to volunteer? Email events@collegeparkmd.gov. 

Learn more at collegeparkday.org

Public Safety Meeting

October 9-15 is National Fire Prevention Week. This year will focus on the need to prevent fires ,and escape quickly if one occurs. The theme is “Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape”

The City’s October community public safety Zoom meeting will feature public fire safety educator Ms. Teresa Crisman, Director of Public Affairs, Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. Ms. Crisman will present life saving information about fire prevention, and escape from home fires. 

This Zoom will begin at 7:30 p.m., Monday, 10^th October 2022

October Clean-Up Saturdays

Saturday, October 8 & 22 | 7:00am-12:00pm | Public Works

The City of College Park Department of Public Works facility will be open on Saturday, October 8th and Saturday, October 22 for City residents to drop-off bulky trash, white goods, electronics recycling, brush, and yard trim.

You must be a resident of the City of College Park and bring proof of City residency to participate.

Bulk trash brought to DPW on cleanup days does not count toward bulk trash limits, nor are any fees applied for appliances, televisions, or monitors. College Park residents can get up to 5-cubic yards of wood mulch per cleanup day for FREE. 

There will also be document shredding services for one day only, on October 8 from 8:00am-12:00pm. 

Pumpkin Carving Challenge

October 10 - 31

Let’s give College Park pumpkin to talk about, with the City of College Park Pumpkin Carving Challenge! 

Residents have from Oct.10 through Oct. 31^st to carve their best Jack-O-Lanterns and submit their entries online. To make a submission, please fill out this form entirely. 

Please include your name, address, who helped carve your jack-o-lantern, and the name of your creation. 

We will post our favorites on the City’s Facebook account and our website and will be awarding 1st place prizes to our favorites! Make sure to like your favorites!  

Please note that by participating in City events, you acknowledge and assume all risks and liabilities including possible exposure to illnesses, including but not limited to COVID-19. Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged.

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

City Tree Programs

Trees provide many benefits such as reduction of cooling and heating costs, interception of rainwater, increasing property values and improving air quality. The City offers a few ways to help. More information is available at www.collegeparkmd.gov/trees. Fall street tree planning is happening now, send in your requests! 

REQUESTS FOR STREET TREES: The City has a program that pays for and provides street tree planting in the right-of-way area, which includes the grass strip between the curb and sidewalk. College Park residents interested in requesting a tree can contact Brenda Alexander at 240-487-3590 or horticulturist@collegeparkmd.gov. The location will be inspected to determine if it is suitable.

TREE CANOPY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (TCEP): City of College Park property owners can apply for reimbursement of up to $150.00 annually, for approved tree(s) planted on their residential lot. The completed application should be sent to horticulturist@collegeparkmd.gov for review and approval. Click here for a link to the guidelines and application.

TREE MAINTENANCE The City is responsible for tree maintenance in the rights-of-way, City maintained buildings and parks, and on public property. Trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.

Urban Tree Protection: Ordinance 21-O-09

This Ordinance requires an application to be submitted for approval to obtain a permit to remove or prune a tree on residential land.

Beginning July 1, 2022, trees on residential property within the City of College Park, greater than 36 inches in circumference measured at 4.5 feet above ground level, on which the property owner wants to remove or prune live branches or wood more than 20% will need to submit an application to the Department of Public Works for a tree removal/pruning permit and receive approval prior to beginning planned tree work. A requirement of the tree removal/pruning permit is that urban tree(s) approved for removal are replaced.

You can find the permit application at www.collegeparkmd.gov/TreeRemovalApp

For more information, click here.

Yard Waste Collection

The storm-related waiver for the preparation of yard debris has expired. All yard waste and brush must be prepared correctly, and large collections needing the use of specialized equipment will incur a fee.

Soft yard waste and woody brush are processed independently into two different end products; therefore, these materials should be prepared separately for collection and further processing. To learn more about soft and woody yard waste collection, visit the City's website.

Department of Public Services

Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity

September 23 - September 29

9/23 Contract officer conducted a traffic stop for loud exhaust in the 8600 block of Baltimore Avenue. 3 warning citations were issued.

9/23 Contract officer issued a criminal citation for Fighting/disorderly conduct in the 7300 block of Baltimore Avenue.

9/24 Contract officers and Beat officers responded to the 7200 block of Baltimore Avenue for a Commercial Armed Robbery. The Suspect entered the T/A and posed as a customer at the front register. The Suspect brandished a black semi-automatic handgun and demanded T/A funds. The employee fearing for her safety gave the Suspect T/A funds. The Suspect fled towards the left of the establishment towards Guilford Drive. Investigation is ongoing.

9/24 Contract officer observed 2 students with open alcoholic beverages at Knox Road and Princeton Avenue. Initially both students refused to provide their student ID numbers. 2 student referrals were submitted.

9/25 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) at Edgewood Road and 52nd Place. 4 warning citations were issued

9/27 Beat officers and a Contract officer responded to the 4700 block of College Avenue for numerous reports of an individual walking into and looking into houses. The Investigative Section responded as Division I Investigators investigated the incidents. The suspect was identified, and warrants were obtained for stalking (x4), Peeping Tom (x4), and 4th Degree Burglary (x4). A Contract officer located the suspect on 9/28 and placed them under arrest. Investigators are working with Parole and Probation since the suspect is currently on probation for a similar offense.

9/27 Contract officer conducted a traffic stop for loud exhaust at Baltimore Avenue and Cherry Hill Road. 1 warning citation was issued.

9/29 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) in the 5000 block of Berwyn Road. 7 warning citations were issued

9/29 Contract officer responded to a call for service for a male that was exposing himself to 3 females that were walking at the corner of Knox Road and Dickenson Avenue. Through investigative techniques, the suspect was identified and 3 summons were issued for the suspect. Good work with follow-up by the Contract officer.

Statistical Data and issued

(916-9/22):

MD State Citations:10

Warnings: 98

Equipment Repair Orders: 4

Distracted Driving Citations: 0

Parking Citations: 1

Field Observation Report: 5

Youth Field Observation Report: 0

Citations in Lieu of Arrest: 0

Civil Citation: 0

Criminal Arrests: 3

DWS Arrest: 0

DWI Arrest: 0

Warrant Arrest: 1

Premise Checks: 13

Referral Student Code of Conduct: 2

Zone 1/Downtown Area Pedestrian Warnings: 21

Zone 1/Downtown Area Pedestrian Citations: 0

Zone 2/Berwyn-Lakeland Pedestrian Warnings: 0

Zone 2/ Berwyn-Lakeland Pedestrian Citations: 0

Zone 3/North College Park Pedestrian Warnings: 0

Zone 3/North College Park Pedestrian Citations: 0

Loud Exhaust Enforcement Stats:

Citations: 0

Warnings: 4

SERO's: 0

Monthly Public Safety Maps



For monthly Prince George's County Police public safety maps and statistical data for the City of College Park, visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/publicsafety.

Community Meetings

Note: These are not City meetings but have City staff or Contract Police as a host.