County Executive Alsobrooks Announces Planned Shift in the Capital Budget from Public Safety Training Facility to Build Health Facility
Dear Prince Georgians:
Yesterday I announced that I will be sending down enabling legislation to our County Council to realign $20 million from the Police Department’s capital budget earmarked for a public safety training facility to build a health facility to address mental health and addiction. If approved by the Council, this legislation will add the health facility to the existing bond legislation scheduled to be voted on by Prince Georgians this November.
What we know is that 70% of the people who are arrested in Prince George’s County arrive to our Department of Corrections intoxicated, and a third of the individuals who come through our jail are suffering from a mental health issue. It’s wrong to treat mentally ill and addicted people in jail, and we must preserve the dignity of these individuals. For this reason, I am realigning resources to ensure a vulnerable population of our community has access to the help they need from medical professionals and not police officers who are not equipped to deal with that population.
The goal of this new facility will be to provide treatment for those suffering with mental health issues and addiction by qualified medical staff who can care for them. Oftentimes, police officers are required to deal with individuals in crisis. This facility will allow intervention and treatment in a setting conductive to rehabilitation.
I believe we have to address injustices in policing in our communities, but I also believe that if we only focus on policing, we will have missed an opportunity for meaningful change. I believe this moment in history also requires us to look at the social injustices that have harmed the African American community for centuries, like disparities in healthcare and education, and work toward reform in those areas as well.
In addition, I am also establishing a workgroup of stakeholders, thought leaders, community advocates and organizers to examine the policies and practices of the County’s Police Department. While our department has made tremendous strides over the past decade in terms of community policing, we realize that there is still much work to be done. We will be announcing additional details on this workgroup in the near future.
Finally, we have a number of critical pieces of information we wanted to share with our community below. I hope you will take a few minutes to read through the rest of this information, including details on our next COVID-19 Tele-Town Hall scheduled for this Thursday, June 18.
As we confront both the COVID-19 pandemic and this social justice pandemic, I have to say that I am truly excited about the future of our County and nation. Together, we can build an even stronger Prince George’s County that serves as a model to our nation, with justice and opportunity for every resident.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
Prince George’s County Retains Coveted Triple-A Bond Rating
 We are very pleased to announce that all three of the financial ratings agencies, Fitch, Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s, have maintained the County’s triple-A bond rating and stable economic outlook. Despite the economic challenges we are experiencing, including a loss of $130 million in revenue heading into Fiscal Year 2021, these ratings show that our continued sound financial policies have allowed us to maintain our ability to manage our obligations in a fiscally responsible way.
In affirming the AAA rating, Standard and Poor’s said, “Prince George's County has a history of maintaining strong financial performance… The county has historically demonstrated an ability to budget conservatively and maintain balanced financial results with very strong reserves, supported by strong financial policies and practices.”
Standard and Poor’s also believes, “the County is well positioned to manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic recession.” This is due in large part to our Administration’s commitment to maintain the County’s very strong reserve position.
In their report, Fitch cited, “the County's operating performance, which features a high capacity to manage operational and budgetary risks through the current coronavirus pandemic and future economic cycles, expectations for solid post-pandemic revenue growth.”
Fitch also said the rating reflects the careful debt management practices of our Administration and the County’s solid long-term growth prospects.
Moody’s cited the County’s, “solid reserve position supported by comprehensive fiscal policies,” also highlighting several factors that will ensure continued growth. “The outlook also reflects the recent trend of growth in the county's tax base, which will likely continue because of commercial and residential development and the county's close proximity to the District of Columbia.”
Despite the challenges we have faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prince George’s County remains the economic engine in the state and region and these ratings show us what we already know, that the coronavirus will not have the final say and we will emerge from this crisis stronger than ever.
Join Us for a Tele-Town Hall on Thursday, June 18
 On Thursday, June 18 at 6:30 PM, County Executive Alsobrooks will host another Tele-Town Hall to give an update on the Government’s COVID-19 response. To register, or to submit your questions or concerns in advance, please click here.
After registering for the Tele-Town Hall, you will receive two calls. We will send an automated call later today with a reminder. Around 6:30 PM on June 18, you will receive a second automated call that contains instructions on how to join the Tele-Town Hall via your phone.
If you would rather listen to the Tele-Town Hall on your TV instead of your phone, we will stream a live broadcast of the audio through Prince George’s Community Television (CTV). This live broadcast is available on CTV Channels 70 and 76 (Verizon Fios 41 and 42) and will begin at 6:30 PM.
We hope you will join us for this next Tele-Town Hall as we continue to provide the latest updates and resources to Prince Georgians.
Help Prince Georgians in Need Through Our Stand Up & Deliver Program
 Prince George’s County and United Way of the National Capital Area are partnering to help address food insecurity and basic needs in the County. Our Stand Up & Deliver program will partner with local non-profits and local restaurants to provide groceries or prepared meals weekly to residents throughout the County.
We know that many residents continue to seek ways to help fellow Prince Georgians in need during these difficult times, so we have worked with United Way NCA to create a way for people to donate directly to efforts that support Prince George’s County. The easiest way to make a donation is online at UnitedWayNCA.org/PGCDelivers.
To donate via check, make it payable to United Way NCA and add PGC-SUD in the subject line. Mail the check to: United Way of National Capital Area, 1577 Spring Hill Rd, Suite 420, Vienna, VA 22182. To donate via electronic cash transfer from your bank account, please contact Roxy Harris at rharris@uwnca.org or 202-488-2012.
We want to thank everyone for their continued support of Prince Georgians in need. Together, we will make it through this pandemic.
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