Virtual Community Conversation

on Public Safety on July 27 at 7 pm:

Click Below to Register

Click the image to register for a Virtual Community Conversation with Councilmember Friedson and Commander Gagen on the topic of public safety in District 1 on July 27th at 7 pm.

I am dedicating this month’s newsletter and our upcoming Community Conversation to the concerning rise in crime throughout Montgomery County, including District 1. I would like to thank the constituents who have called into our office to let their concerns be known on this alarming increase in frequency and severity of crimes, and want to echo your concerns and acknowledge the anxiety that you all might be experiencing.

As Commander Gagen noted in our last Town Hall, there were 32 homicides in Montgomery County in 2021 (60% increase) and a 23% increase in auto thefts. This week, three Bethesda churches were vandalized. Chief of Police Jones has noted the rising prevalence of guns in our community, especially in the hands of teens. Property crimes remain the most frequent public safety challenge with increases in burglaries and auto thefts. These increases speak to a rise in crime regionally and nationally, and our public safety professionals have been working collaboratively with their counterparts and deployed additional resources to address it.

Please join us for a Town Hall focused on public safety issues in District 1 and take advantage of the opportunity to hear directly from Chief of Police Marcus Jones and District 2 Commander Sean Gagen. Finally, thank you to all our residents who have reached out to share information with the Investigative Teams which have helped lead directly to suspects in multiple instances thanks to your diligence and effective work by our police.

If you are not able to attend the town hall, but still have questions or concerns of what is being done to alleviate the current, tumultuous environment, please feel free to reach out to me and my staff at our office at 240-777-7828 or email Councilmember.Friedson@ montgomerycountymd.gov.

How We Can Care for Each Other

Councilmember Andrew Friedson at a Nourish Now event serving food.

In addition to the feedback we have received about the crimes happening across the county, I want to take a moment to shine a light on the many residents who have called to assist their neighbors. I am lucky to represent a community that looks out for each other, and takes the time out to make sure that we all are able to weather this storm. We have experienced considerable hardship, loss, and grief over the last few years. While we have made significant strides in improving the quality of life for many of our residents, many still struggle. COVID-related starts and stops in employment, education, childcare, and extracurricular activities, inflation, and rising gas and housing costs, are taking their toll on our community. While I believe that individuals are culpable for their own actions, I understand that this climate of hardship and uncertainty has led to people to extreme and at-times, unlawful behavior.

A growing number of studies suggest that food (Breiding et al., 2017; Cardoso et al., 2016; Hatcher et al, 2019; Slopen et al, 2010), housing (Padgett et al., 2016; Diette and Ribar, 2018), and financial (Pickett et al, 2005; Kelly, 2002; Fajnzylber et al, 2002) insecurities are associated with an increased risk for antisocial behavior in adolescence and violence in adulthood. We as a community and as a county, have a responsibility to address the conditions that hinder healthy development and prosperity.

We cannot sit back and watch a resident go hungry, unhoused, or live in crisis without hope. That’s not who we are or what we do in Montgomery County. While we face staggering systemic challenges, I am grateful for our capacity to meet them by bringing together the non-profit and faith communities, businesses, and government. That's what our county is all about. We can’t all do everything, but each of us can do something. Raise awareness. Connect neighbors to services. Volunteer. Donate.

Times of crisis reveal true character. Let's demonstrate what Montgomery County is made of:

Housing:

Resources on Homelessness

Housing Opportunities Commission – Adult and Family Programs

Bethesda Help - Emergency Financial Assistance

Mental Health:

Everymind – Mental Health

InfoMontgomery Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Food:

211 – Food Providers in Maryland 

            Search tool 

Montgomery County Food Providers

            Search tool 

Applying for unemployment or SNAP benefits

Montgomery County Food Council Food Assistance Resource Map

Nourish Bethesda – Drive-Through Family Food Distribution

            Fridays 1 – 3 pm @ Bethesda Chevy-Chase Rescue Squad

Nourish Now – Food Pick Ups

            Tuesday – Thursday across the County

Manna Food Center

            Call (301) 424-1130 to order a box of pantry staples, fresh produce, and frozen meat

Positive Youth Development:

Street Outreach Network – Gang Prevention

            Look out for upcoming events as part of their Summer of Peace

Identity – Mental Health,

             Academic Support, Gang Prevention, Wraparound Services

             Disponible en inglés y español

TeenWorks – Youth Employment

            Summer slots are full, but Fall and school year positions are still open

Soccer4Change

            Enroll through City of Gaithersburg Recreation Department, Identity, Inc., Street Outreach Network, or one of our Youth Development Middle or High School Programs (RecXtra, Excel Beyond the Bell Middle and RecZone)

Arts on the Block

BlackRock Center for the Arts Scholarships

Conservation Corps

            Must be 17 to 24 years old; must have dropped out of high school; must have parent approval if under 18 years of age; must complete intake work

COVID-19:

Si usted quiera ayuda sobre COVID-19 en español

As always, if you are experiencing resource insecurity or know someone who is, please do not hesitate to call my office at 240-777-7828 or email Councilmember.Friedson@ montgomerycountymd.gov. My staff and I are here to help you in any way you need. 

Constituent Services

I encourage residents to continue to engage with my office on issues of importance to our community. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our small but mighty team works to respond to your inquiries. Please continue to engage with us by email, visiting our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages, and subscribing to our newsletter.