WEEKLY BULLETIN | January 27, 2023

Curbside Food Scrap Collection

Join the City's Curbside Food Scrap Collection program to recycle your food scraps and reduce harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change!

City residents can join the program by signing up and purchasing containers at www.collegeparkmd.gov/curbsidecollectionapp. Once you pick up your containers, your collection service will start the following week.

Tips for a successful collection:

•  Place your container out before 6:00 a.m. or the night before your scheduled pick-up to avoid a missed collection.
• Your container should be directly in front of your house, and if possible, at the end of your driveway so that it is clearly visible from the street (no alley collections)
• Keep your container away from trash and recycling carts, or other obstacles.
• If you run out of compostable bags, you can use a paper bag, or put food scraps loosely in the container.
• Our contractor, Compost Crew, will send a reminder email the day before your collection. They will also send a notice if your container is not found.
• If you will be away and want to skip a week, please email publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov and let us know the week(s) you would like your service suspended.

Check out the video below for an introduction to the program and other how-to videos.

New Budget Feedback Tool

A Balancing Act is a new online budgeting tool that the City is incorporating to make the process of getting budget feedback from you, our community, even easier.

We are in the early stages of preparing the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024, which begins July 1st of 2023.

We want to hear from you what you think are the most important initiatives for the City to invest in.

To accomplish this, we have set up a survey of nine core initiatives, plus a suggestion box.

You can take the survey at www.collegeparkmd.gov/budgetfeedback.

Learn more about this new tool from the video above.

ARPA Mental Health Assistance



The City has established programs to assist businesses, nonprofits, and residents address the negative financial impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Program Act (ARPA) has provided funds that the City is using for these and many other projects.

College Park residents of all ages may be reimbursed for up to $5,000 per household for mental health services received OR invoices may be paid directly to service providers.

Learn more here.

WSSC Work

Next week, WSSC Contractors will be working in the 7400-Block of Columbia Avenue, the 7200-Block of Bowdoin Avenue, and the 4800-Block of College Avenue. Please use caution in the work zones.

WSSC will also be repairing the intersection of Apache Street and Locust Spring Road that was affected by a recent water main break. Please expect lane shifts and temporary detours in the area.

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

City Holidays & Public Works Refuse Collection Schedule

See below for a list of City holidays and refuse and collection schedule for 2023. Requests for special pickups will be limited during weeks when a holiday is observed. Please refer to the latest Resident Guide for questions on refuse, recycling, and yard trim collection or visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/refuse.

Winter Weather Alerts

Be prepared for winter. Visit our website for more information on the steps the City takes when there is a wintery mix in the forecast.

The Department of Public Works plows and treats City maintained streets and City parking lots to clear snow and ice during winter storms. Public Works crews are staffed around the clock during snow emergencies to clear the 51 road miles of City streets. For questions, or to report a City road that hasn't been plowed, please contact the Department at 240-487-3590. 

Updates will be posted on the City’s website, all City social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and emailed (sign up here).  

Water Main Breaks

As it gets cooler, the risk of water main breaks increases. The first step to repairing a water main is YOU! Report it to WSSC Water 301-206-4002; please have the physical address of the water main break available when you call.

Styrofoam Recycling

A drop-off container is at the entrance to Public Works for block Styrofoam recycling. Only block Styrofoam is accepted in the white cart. No peanuts, cups, plates, or egg cartons are allowed. 

City Tree Programs

Trees provide many benefits such as reduction of cooling and heating costs, interception of rainwater, increased property values, and improved air quality. The City offers a few ways to help. More information is available at www.collegeparkmd.gov/trees. 

The City is planning for spring tree plantings, so get your requests in soon!

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 arborist@collegeparkmd.gov. The location will be inspected to determine if it is suitable.

For those that need to replace trees due to storm damage or removals, you can apply for a TCEP reimbursement to help offset the cost.

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 arborist@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.

Are you interested in having a tree planted on your residential property?

The City is gauging interest in a potentially new tree-planting program for residents. Planting is planned for the spring.

If you are interested in having a tree planted on your property by a contractor, please complete this form. Select “Tree planting on residential property” and fill out the remainder of the form or contact arborist@collegeparkmd.gov

Department of Public Services

Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity

January 13 - January 19

1/14 Contract officers responded to a call for service for “Drag Racers” in the 4700 block of Cherry Hill Road. The crowd of “racers” were driving recklessly and sent on their way.

1/15 Contract officer conducted a traffic stop for loud exhaust at Yale Avenue/ College Avenue. The driver was issued 8 citations.  

1/16 Contract officer conducted a traffic stop at Rhode Island Avenue and Berwyn Road. Investigation revealed the driver was wanted on 2 outstanding warrants.

1/17 Contract officer recovered a stolen vehicle that was parked (parking lot) at Corporal Frank Scott Drive and Campus Drive.



Jan 16 to Jan 22 2023

There were no municipal infractions issued for the Noise Ordinance, for Article I, 141-1 Danger to Public Safety/Health or Article II, 141-13 Unruly Social Gatherings.

Statistical Data and issued

(1/6-1/12):

MD State Citations: 41

Warnings: 72

Equipment Repair Orders: 4

Distracted Driving Citations: 0

Parking Citations: 0

Field Observation Report: 1

Youth Field Observation Report: 0

Citations in Lieu of Arrest: 0

Civil Citation: 0

Criminal Arrests: 1

DWS Arrest: 0

DWI Arrest: 0

Warrant Arrest: 2

Premise Checks: 10

Referral Student Code of Conduct: 0

Zone 1/Downtown Area Pedestrian Warnings: 0

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: 8

Warnings: 0

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.