Prince George's Proud:
An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks
Dear Prince Georgians:
It is hard to believe that this year is already coming to an end. It has been such a productive year here in Prince George’s County, and we have truly made tremendous strides – from navigating an unprecedented vaccine rollout to strengthening affordable housing opportunities for residents and breaking ground on nine new schools that will help enhance the lives of our children and their education. We know that we have so much more to accomplish, and I am excited about what’s to come in 2022.
As we enter into the new year, our legislative team will be preparing for the 44th session of the General Assembly in Annapolis, which is scheduled from Wednesday, January 12 to Monday, April 11, 2022. Our legislative team will work with our State Delegation to represent Prince Georgians and advocate for our legislative priorities for the year, which include healthcare, economic development and housing, transportation, and more. We encourage Prince Georgians to stay tuned for important updates about the upcoming legislative session.
In addition to the important work we will be doing in Annapolis in the coming months, we will also be continuing our efforts to keep our communities safe. We have been working tirelessly to support our public safety agencies as we face a rise in violent crime in our County, and we have continued to assure Prince Georgians that we were going to develop new solutions to address this issue.
In October, we launched our new anti-gun violence initiative, the Hope in Action Anti-Violence Project. The goal of this project is to strengthen sustainable peace efforts in Prince George’s County by helping to reduce violent crime through collaboration with local law enforcement and community stakeholders. This effort will identify individuals at the highest risk of gun violence to coordinate individualized wraparound resources that will guide them in a more positive direction and reduce their chances of participating in violent activity.
We know that we cannot do this work alone, and that is why we are now asking for the support of our local non-profit community. Earlier this month, we announced that a Request for Proposals (RFP) is now available for organizations in the area who are interested in applying for a mini grant to support our Hope in Action Anti-Violence Project. We will provide grants up to $50,000 to eligible non-profit organizations to support programming in the areas of youth mentoring, diversion programming, after-school enrichment services, and employment services. We encourage all eligible non-profit organizations to apply for this grant funding to make a positive impact in our communities while keeping Prince Georgians safe.
The RFP is available until Friday, January 14, 2022. For more information and to complete an application, visit the Hope in Action Anti-Violence Project Fund webpage here. Organizations interested in applying can also contact the Office of Community Relations at 301-952-4729 for more information.
Lastly, we would like to congratulate each of the honorees of the 44th Annual Public Safety Valor Awards. For the last 44 years, Prince George’s County has taken the opportunity to recognize and honor the heroic acts of some of our bravest and best public safety personnel through our Public Safety Valor Awards. During the past year, the courageous men and women that make up our public safety team have continued to risk their own lives and safety to keep Prince Georgians safe and healthy. Their acts of bravery and heroism are a true testament to their dedication and commitment, and we sincerely thank them for their continued service to our community. You can view the virtual presentation of the 44th Annual Public Safety Valor Awards Ceremony here.
As we close out the year and reflect on all that we have accomplished, we have so much to be proud of as a community. We could not have come this far without the support of Prince Georgians, and we want to thank each of you for helping to ensure that Prince George’s County continues to be a great place to live, work, and play.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
COVID-19 Testing
 Free COVID-19 testing is available to County residents, regardless of insurance coverage, at various locations throughout the County. The County Health Department and Office of Emergency Management continue to operate a COVID-19 testing clinic at the Bunker Hill Fire Station. Testing is available to County residents Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, on a walk-in basis only. Please note that on Friday, December 31, the testing clinic will close at 2:00 PM, in recognition of the New Year’s Day holiday.
We are awaiting our next shipment of at-home tests to replenish supplies of free tests at local libraries. As soon as the shipment arrives and at-home test kits are available at our libraries, we will provide an update to the community. For more information about COVID-19 testing or to use our testing site locator to find a testing site near you, visit the County Health Department website here.
Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund
 If you are a homeowner and struggling to pay your mortgage due to COVID-19 related financial hardships, assistance is now available. The Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) is now accepting applications to assist homeowners statewide through the Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund. To check your eligibility or to apply for the program, visit the Maryland DHCD website here and click on “Check Eligibility” under "Get Started." For assistance with applying or navigating the application portal, call (833) 676-0119, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Litter Blitz: Round 2
 On Friday, December 17, our Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) and the State Highway Administration continued the litter blitz in Prince George’s County. State crews cleaned roadways along MD-212 and the Beltway exit at Ritchie Marlboro Road, while County crews cleaned County streets near those major roadways. During the litter blitz on Friday, December 10, DPW&T crews cleaned up 3.18 tons of trash from three County roadways. Thank you to our DPW&T crews helping keep our County clean and beautiful.
County News For You
PGPD Conducts Enforcement Operation Targeting Illegal Street Racing and Car Meetups
On Friday, December 17, the Prince George’s County Police Department, along with several partner agencies, conducted a joint operation to address increasing community concerns over illegal street racing and car meetups. The partner agencies included the Maryland State Police, Montgomery County Police, Laurel City Police and the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office. During the operation, officers observed illegal street racing and car meetups in several areas in Prince George’s County, including Landover, Landover Hills, Beltsville, and Upper Marlboro.
As a result of the joint operation, there were 4 arrests made, 2 firearms recovered, 2 replica firearms recovered, 123 traffic stops conducted, 169 traffic citations issued (including citations for reckless driving), 64 safety equipment repair orders issued, and 17 vehicles impounded. Of the four individuals arrested, one was arrested for being in possession of a stolen vehicle, two for gun-related charges and one for drug-related charges.
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Christmas Day Holiday Waste Schedule
 Regular organics collection (includes food scraps and yard trim) and regular curbside trash and recycling collection will remain on schedule the week of Monday, December 27 through Friday, December 31. Most County facilities will be closed for the New Year’s Day holiday on Saturday, January 1. For more information, visit the Department of the Environment website here.
Countywide Curbside Organics Composting Collection is Here!
Residents who receive County provided services AND opt into the program will mix their food scraps with their yard trim for the weekly Monday yard trim curbside collection. Food scraps must be placed inside the Organics cart. Only residents who opted in and received the appropriate program materials may put food scraps curbside for collection. Plastic bags are not accepted.
If you received a letter from the Department of the Environment (DoE), opt-in postcards are on the way! Detailed opt-in instructions are on the postcard. Use only one option listed to opt in:
- Scan the QR code on the postcard using a smartphone; OR
- Call the telephone number and provide the requested information.
Program materials will be delivered during April to celebrate Earth Month. Participating households will receive collection materials, including a 32-gallon wheeled cart, a 2-gallon kitchen mini bin, a How-To Guide, a refrigerator magnet, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). For additional information about food scraps composting, email us at pgccomposts@co.pg.md.us or visit the DoE website here.
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Recycle Your Christmas Tree
 The Department of the Environment makes it easy for residents to recycle cut Christmas trees (no artificial trees) by offering convenient drop-off locations and curbside pickup. Due to the Christmas holiday, yard trim and Christmas tree collection will run from Monday, December 27, 2021 to Monday, January 31, 2022. Residents with yard trim collection may place their undecorated, unbagged, live Christmas trees at the curb by 6:00 AM on their regularly scheduled yard trim collection day. For more information, please call PGC311 or visit the DoE website here.
PGCMLS Hosts Free Winter Coat Giveaway
for Youth
 The Prince George's County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS), PGCMLS Foundation, and Wawa are distributing free, brand new winter coats (available sizes: 2T-18) and books for children and teens on Saturday, January 8 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Spauldings Branch Library (5811 Old Silver Hill Road, District Heights, Maryland, 20747). No registration is required and coats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Face masks and physical distancing are required for all participants over the age of 2 years. Contact (240) 455-5451 or askalibrarian@pgcmls.info with questions.
Racial Justice Creative Arts Contest
 The Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project, Joe’s Movement Emporium, and the Prince George’s County Chapter of the NAACP are offering scholarships through a Racial Justice Creative Arts Contest. Prince George’s County students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to submit creative works for this scholarship opportunity. Submissions are accepted until January 15! For more information and how to apply, visit the Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project website here.
The Men’s Challenge Initiative
 Join the Department of Family Services (DFS) for a new installment of the Men’s Challenge Initiative, a series of group discussions that seek to influence men and boys through conversations about developing healthy relationships. Topics of discussion will include Faith for Mentally Strong Relationships, Subtle Trappings of Teen Dating Violence, and Fatherhood. Another topic of discussion, Trafficked Boys, will look at bringing male victims of human trafficking out of the shadows. For more information, visit the DFS website here.
DPIE Urges Food Truck Operators to Comply with County Code
 Food trucks that operate in Prince George’s County must be located at a designated food truck hub or at a special event permitted by the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE), such as a carnival, fair or festival, according to County code. Food trucks must also be licensed and display the appropriate information, including the Health Department decal, the business name and location, and other required documentation. Residents can report food trucks operating in violation to PGC311 for DPIE to investigate. For more information about food trucks, visit the DPIE website here.
Preliminary Adelphi Road-UMGC-UMD Purple Line Station Area Sector Plan Joint Public Hearing
The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council, and the Prince George’s County Planning Board of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) will hold a virtual Joint Public Hearing on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at 5:00 PM, to seek public testimony concerning the Preliminary Adelphi Road-UMGC-UMD Purple Line Station Area Sector Plan and Proposed Sectional Map Amendment (SMA). To view the hearing, click here.
Interested individuals may register to speak online here by 3:00 PM on Monday, January 17, 2022. Comments may also be submitted via the County Council’s eComment Portal, emailed to clerkofthecouncil@co.pg.md.us or faxed to (301) 952-5178 by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, when the record of public hearing testimony will close. To learn more about how to register, participate, and view the Joint Public Hearing, visit the M-NCPPC website here.
Prince George’s County Planning Department to Host Virtual Community Meetings for the Master Plan of Transportation 2035
 The Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has launched a multi-year effort for the Prince George’s County Master Plan of Transportation 2035 (MPOT 2035). The agency will host three virtual Community Engagement Meetings on the following dates: Tuesday, January 25; Wednesday, January 26; and Thursday, January 27, 2022. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in public meetings, explore existing conditions, discuss transportation around the County, and provide input to shape the transportation policy document. Register for a virtual community meeting here. To learn more about the MPOT 2035 project, visit the M-NCPPC website here.
Veterans Career Connection Program
 Prince George’s County is home to the largest veteran’s population in the State of Maryland. To assist Prince George’s County’s veterans and service members as they transition from active-duty military status to civilian employment, Employ Prince George’s operates the Veterans Career Connection program. This free program offers workforce development training and employment opportunities for veterans transitioning to civilian life. To learn more about this program, visit the Employ Prince George’s website here.
Employ Prince George’s and County Executive’s Stand Up & Deliver Program Launch Industry Bridge Program
 Photo Courtesy of Employ Prince George's
The Employ Prince George's Transportation and Logistics Consortium (TALC) Program and the County Executive’s Stand Up and Deliver program joined forces at the American Job Center National Harbor to launch the TALC Industry Bridge program, which will assist returning citizens and disconnected youth in preparing for a career in warehousing, transportation, or logistics. Check out this article featuring the program launch.
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