Northwood News ♦ April 2009

Silver Spring Crime Summit Planned by PrezCo

By Jim Zepp

In response to two highly publicized homicides last November, a community crime summit is being planned.  The President’s Council (also known as PrezCo, an umbrella group for the 12 Silver Spring civic associations inside the Beltway) is organizing this event as an opportunity for citizens, public officials, and various community organizations to discuss emerging crime problems and to develop an action plan to address these concerns.

Along with some general sessions, currently four small working groups are planned to focus discussions on the following topics:

• Youths, truants, and schools;
• Working with police to keep neighborhoods safe;
• Making Downtown Silber Spring safe for everyone; and
• Government policies, resources, and interagency cooperation.

The two crime incidents that led to this meeting were shooting of Tai Lam, a Blair High School student, while riding a County Ride-On bus in the Long Branch area on 1 November [2008].  and the murder of Lila Meizell in her home on Inwood Avenue on 26 November, following which the perpetrators attempted to cover up the crime through arson.  Suspects in both cases were arrested in about a week after they occurred.

The community crime summit is scheduled for Saturday, 16 May [2009].  The location is to be determined.  Because Silver Spring area crime problems can affect our neighborhood and residents, the NFCCA Board at its 11 March meeting agreed that a modest contribution would be reasonable to support this effort.  If you are interested in helping with the planning and arrangements for this meeting or wish to attend, send an email to Jim Zepp at [email redacted] for further information.   ■