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Thursday, April 21, 2022

Prince George's Proud:

An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks

Dear Prince Georgians:

Prince George’s County is celebrating Earth Month throughout the month of April. In honor of this month-long celebration, we are recognizing our first ever Preserve and Beautify Our Environment Week in collaboration with the Department of the Environment (DoE), Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T), and the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE).

Throughout this week, we have been highlighting the various ways the County is working to preserve and beautify the environment. We are also using this opportunity to educate Prince Georgians on how they can help protect, clean, and beautify our neighborhoods and communities. We are working hard to keep our County clean and beautiful and encourage our residents to be a part of our efforts.

There are several events and activities taking place this week, including our Spring Growing Green with Pride Day on Saturday, April 23. Every year we ask Prince Georgians to show their pride in their communities by helping to reduce litter and beautifying the County. If you didn’t register for Growing Green with Pride Day, you can still grab a trash bag and gloves and join us for a day of litter pickup and beautification in neighborhoods across the County. We encourage residents to check out this video or visit the DoE website here to learn more about Preserve and Beautify Our Environment Week.

In addition to working to keep our County clean and beautiful, we are also continuing to work to address the issue of crime in our community. Last week, we hosted a Crime Community Conversation so that we could have an important solutions-based discussion with residents about what is taking place in our communities. We took that opportunity to talk about what we are doing right now to reduce violent crime, including solutions like our Hope in Action Anti-Violence Project, and that discussion touched a nerve for many of our residents.

Unfortunately, that is what crime does to a community - it causes that kind of pain and frustration we saw during this meeting, and that tension is sometimes necessary. This rise in violent crime in our County and region is an issue that we are taking very seriously, and we often come up with the best solutions with this kind of tension present. It compels us all to see just how serious this uptick in violent crime is, and it pushes us to work on solutions together.

We would like to take to thank the Prince Georgians that came out or tuned in virtually for our solutions-based community conversation about crime. We recognize that one thing that makes this community so amazing is the consistent engagement of our residents. We have reduced violent crime before as a community, and I am confident that by continuing to work together, we can do it again.

Yours in service,

Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive


Preserve and Beautify Our Environment Week

Crime Community Conversation

COVID-19 Updates

Stay Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccinations

Vaxd to the Max

The more-contagious Omicron subvariant, BA.2, is currently the dominant COVID-19 strain across the United States. Cases began increasing in Prince George’s County in late March, although the County still has an overall low level of community spread. The County Health Department is reminding residents that staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses, if eligible, is critical to fighting severe COVID-19 illness if you are infected. Getting a COVID-19 vaccination is a safer and more dependable way for you and your family to build immunity than getting infected with COVID-19. For more information, or to find a vaccine clinic near you, visit the Health Department website here.


Beautification Initiatives

County Residents Can Pick Up FREE Mulch

Mulch Madness

Prince George’s County residents can pick up FREE mulch from the County Organics Composting Facility on Saturday, April 23, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, or while supplies last. A skid loader will be available to load mulch directly into pickup trucks (commercial vehicles are not permitted). Residents transporting mulch by car will need to bring their own containers, shovels, or pitchforks. Mulch for this source reduction event is derived from live holiday trees collected curbside and dropped off throughout January. For more details, visit the Department of the Environment website here.


Dumpster Drop-Off to Help Residents Rid Properties of Landscape Litter

DPIE Dumpster Drop Off

During the upcoming Growing Green with Pride Day on Saturday, April 23, Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE) inspectors will canvass neighborhoods to urge residents to bring their properties into compliance with County code as part of the agency’s ongoing Beautify and Comply program. To connect the two initiatives, DPIE is hosting its first “Beautify and Comply While Growing Green with Pride Dumpster Drop-Off” from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 23. Keeping trash, debris, yard waste, and open storage on your property such as old furniture, broken appliances, unused construction materials, or unworking vehicles violates County code. Residents may bring certain items that may be littering their properties to the drop-off event. Drop-off locations include the Department of Public Works and Transportation’s Salt Dome (11900 Montgomery Road, Beltsville, MD 20785) and the Clinton Park & Ride Lot (900 Stuart Lane, Clinton, MD 20735). Restrictions apply on items that can be dropped off. For more information, email dpiepio@co.pg.md.us.


Thank You for Keeping Prince George’s County Clean and Beautiful

Earth Day Thank You

Residents who visit the Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill to properly recycle uncommon items such as white goods/appliances, household hazardous waste, or electronics on Earth Day, Friday, April 22, will receive a small token of appreciation from the Department of the Environment as a way to say thank you for being part of it, proud of it! Items will be distributed while supplies last. Let’s all continue to do our part to protect Mother Earth and keep our County clean and beautiful!


Proud to Be Around Prince George's

Fire/EMS Department Career Recruit School Graduation Ceremony

CEX Fire/EMS Graduation

On Friday, April 8, County Executive Alsobrooks attended the graduation ceremony for Career Recruit School Classes 62 and 63 of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department. County Executive Alsobrooks had the opportunity to congratulate the 46 men and women who took the oath of office, making a commitment to protect and serve the nearly 1 million Prince Georgians who call Prince George’s County home.


Annual Veterans Motorcycle Charity Ride and Community Day

CEX VFW Day

On Saturday, April 9, County Executive Alsobrooks joined the VFW Post 9376 for the Annual Veterans Motorcycle Charity Ride and Community Day. Under the leadership of Post Commander Mike Eason, VFW Post 9376 has gained “All-American Status” and is the #1 division three Post in the entire State. County Executive Alsobrooks was proud to join our veterans to thank them for their service to our nation and discuss some of the ways the County is serving them through our Office of Veterans Affairs and Military Women Veterans Center.


County News For You

Stand Up and Deliver

Stand Up and Deliver

We are continuing to work hard to address food insecurity in our County, and we want to provide information on upcoming distribution locations for our Stand Up & Deliver program. 

Tuesday, April 26 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (Groceries)

  • Glassmanor Elementary School – 1011 Marcy Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Tuesday, April 26 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Groceries)

  • St. Mark the Evangelist – 7501 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville, MD 20783

Wednesday, April 27 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (Groceries)

  • Langley Park-McCormick Elementary School – 8201 15th Avenue, Adelphi, MD 20783

Thursday, April 28 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (Groceries)

  • LAYC/MMYC@CEP/WMMS – 6200 Sheridan Street, Riverdale, MD 20737

Friday, April 29 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM (Groceries)

  • St. Paul Church – 6419 Marlboro Pike, Forestville, MD 20747
  • Victory Grace Center at Port Towns Elementary School – 4351 58th Place, Bladensburg, MD 20710

Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (Groceries)

  • Love A.M.E. Church at Capitol Heights Elementary School – 601 Suffolk Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD 20783

Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Groceries)

  • Mount Joy Baptist Church – 5410 MD-210, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Sunday, May 1 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (Groceries)

  • Community of Hope AME Church – 3701 Branch Avenue, Temple Hills, MD 20747

"Earth Day Every Day" Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger Hunt

Get ready to hunt for resource recovery-related items this weekend! The list will be posted on the Department of the Environment’s (DoE) Earth Day website and social media pages at 12:00 PM on Friday, April 22. Participants have until 12:00 PM on Monday, April 25, to post and earn points for this week. It’s simple – just find the item(s), take a picture, tag DoE with #PGCEarthDayEveryDay, and earn points. The top three winners will earn a reusable goods swag bag with a BPA-free plastic bottle, steel straw kit (includes cleaning brush and carry pouch), reusable bag, and other eco-friendly items at the end of the month! Read about this activity and more at the DoE Earth Day website here.


Share Your Furry Family "Fotos"

Furry Fotos

In honor of Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on Saturday, April 30, the Department of the Environment wants to showcase all the furry, feathery, and scaly pets that have been rescued from a shelter to promote the importance of adopting. Throughout April, post a cute or funny picture of your four or two-legged family member with the hashtags #PGCEarthDayEveryDay AND #AdoptDontShop. Photos must be emailed to Brittani Garner at BGarner@co.pg.md.us by Wednesday, April 27. All photos will be posted on Friday, April 29, in celebration of Adopt a Shelter Pet Day!


Expungement and Resource Fair

Expungement Fair

Do you or someone you know need some help to get a second chance in life? The Prince George’s County’s Bridge Center at Adam’s House, in partnership with a variety of County, State, and federal government agencies and community human services organizations, is hosting an Expungement and Resource Fair on Saturday, April 30 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Reid Temple Prison Ministry (11400 Glenn Dale Boulevard, Glenn Dale, MD 20769). Register to attend this free event here.

The Bridge Center at Adam’s House is an inter-agency collaboration between the Health Department, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Family Services, and other community-based partners, to provide assistance to residents reentering the community, including individuals that are formerly incarcerated, veterans, and youth (18-24 years old) who are trying to attain stability in the community. 


National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

National Drug Take Back Day

Too often, unused prescription drugs in your home find their way into the wrong hands. That often leads to public health and public safety issues in our communities. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an opportunity for Prince Georgians to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths. On Saturday, April 30, residents are encouraged to safely drop off unwanted, unused, or expired medications and electronic smoking devices from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Langley Park Community Center (1500 Merrimac Drive, Hyattsville, MD 20783). For more information or for general inquiries, call 301-883-6121.


Complete the Public Preparedness Survey Today!

Public Preparedness Survey

The Prince George’s County Office of Homeland Security/Office of Emergency Management’s (OEM) Public Preparedness Survey is now LIVE and OEM wants want to hear from you! Residents are encouraged to complete this brief survey today. The information collected in this survey will help OEM and the County better prepare for, respond to, mitigate, and recover from natural and manmade disasters. You can complete the survey here.


Creating Resilient Communities Webinar Series

OEM 2022 Webinar Series

The Office of Homeland Security/Office of Emergency Management continues its Creating Resilient Communities Webinar Series! This webinar series provides residents with information and resources on how best to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate disasters within their homes and community. Each webinar is free and open to the entire community. The next webinar is on Tuesday, April 19 at 7:00 PM, and will provide residents with information on sheltering in place for emergencies and disasters. Register to attend the webinar here.


Art in Unexpected Places

Art on Trails

While taking a stroll at Watkins Park, you may encounter the Witch of Watkins. At Cosca Regional Park you will see the Black Bear Family or maybe the Eagles Landing at the Paint Branch Golf Course. These three wooden sculptures are just a few of the many original artworks created on trails in Prince George’s County. They are all part of M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County’s Art on the Trails program, which recycles, reuses, and repurposes materials found in nature and transforms them into sculptures that reflect wildlife and the environment of the trail.

Mr. Stewart Seal, County Wide Youth Arts Coordinator, manages the Art on the Trails program. He was first inspired when he was walking through the woods with his dog and saw a large tree that had just fallen. He said to himself “somebody could carve that into the Loch Ness Monster.” Since the start of the program, 50 trees in Prince George’s County have been identified and carved by professionals into a work of art. Check out this article featuring Mr. Seal and the Arts on the Trails program. Discover the art on your next hike throughout trails, using the Art on the Trails Passport.


Southern Avenue Metro Station Area Pedestrian Accessibility Community Study

Southern Avenue Metro Study

The Prince George’s County Planning Department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission seeks input for the Southern Avenue Metro Station Area Pedestrian Accessibility Study. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to take the community survey online by Saturday, April 30, to provide feedback on proposals for new and improved route connections between the Southern Avenue and Naylor Road Metro Stations. The overall goal of the project is to improve neighborhood connections, promote health equity, and stimulate growth. Visit the project website here for more details and to view presentations and videos from community meetings.


Learn About Placemaking and Sign Up for Virtual Kick-Off Events for Riverdale and Largo

Placemaking Pilot Projects

As part of a pilot program, the Prince George’s County Planning Department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) will work in partnership with the Better Block Foundation to host two fun-filled events later this year celebrating the arts and community: Placemaking Riverdale and Placemaking Largo. M-NCPPC invites you to collaborate and be a part of the planning process by attending virtual kick-off meetings. Participants will have the opportunity to give feedback and sign up to volunteer. Register here for the Placemaking Riverdale Kick-Off Event scheduled for Tuesday, April 26. Register here for the Placemaking Largo Kick-Off Event scheduled for Thursday, April 28. To learn more about the placemaking pilot projects, visit our website here.


Older Americans Month Resource Fair

OAM 2022

Each May, the Department of Family Services, Aging and Disabilities Services Division (DFS) leads the celebration of Older Americans Month in Prince George’s County. This year’s theme, “Age My Way,” recognizes how older adults can plan to stay in their homes and live independently in their communities for as long as possible. In recognition of Older Americans Month, DFS invites residents to the Age My Way Information Fair on Tuesday, May 17, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Participants will be able to explore the many ways older adults can remain in and be involved with their communities and will receive information about programs and services for seniors, along with music and lunch. Please note that lunch will only be provided to a limited number of attendees who register for the fair. To register and for more information, visit the DFS website here. This is an outdoor event. A tentative rain date is set for Thursday, May 19.


Spring Men’s Challenge Initiative

Spring Mens 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 for this spring edition include Trafficked Boys - Bringing Male Victims of Human Trafficking Out of the Shadows, Redefining Masculinity, and Being the Change You Want to See. For more information, visit the DFS website here.


Commission on Fathers, Men and Boys Fatherhood Honors Award

CFMB Awards

Father's Day is a day of honoring fatherhood and paternal bonds, as well as the influence of fathers in our community. There are countless examples of men who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support, assist, and faithfully serve their family and their community, especially during extremely challenging times. The Prince George’s County Commission on Fathers, Men and Boys (CFMB) is pleased to announce its annual Fatherhood Honors Award, which was designed to recognize, celebrate, and honor men who have consistently exemplified the principals of excellence in fatherhood through their character, service, and positive impact upon the lives of individuals, organizations, and their community in the past year(s).

Residents are cordially invited and encouraged to nominate individual men who deserve recognition as a CFMB Fatherhood Honors Awardee. The nominee can be a father or father figure that is over the age of 21 and meets the criteria outlined in the Fatherhood Honors Award application. Candidates must either live in, work, or serve in Prince George’s County. You can submit as many nominations as you would like, but please use a new form for each nomination. Applications are due by Saturday, April 30. Nominees will be recognized at the Father’s Day Pledge Event on Monday, June 13. For more information about nominee criteria and how to apply, visit the CFMB website here.


Spotlight On Prince George's

PGCPS Educators Named Finalists for 2022 Washington Post Principal of the Year and Teacher of the Year Awards

PGCPS Finalist Awards

Photo Courtesy of Matt McClain, The Washington Post

Two Prince George’s County Public Schools educators were recently named finalists for the 2022 Washington Post Principal of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards! Congratulations to Dr. Wanda Williams, Principal of Oxon Hill Elementary School and Mr. Thomas Pierre, a teacher in the Music Department at Thomas G. Pullen K-8 Creative and Performing Arts School. Check out this article featuring more about this distinguished honor and a complete list of award finalists.


Prince George’s County Secures Historic
$2.5 Billion in State Aid

BLC Press Conference

Prince George’s County recently secured a historic $2.5 billion in State aid during the 2022 legislative session, the most ever for the County during a single session. This funding includes $400 million for critical investments along the Blue Line Corridor, a five-mile area stretching from Capitol Heights to Largo. The County’s vision for this area includes an amphitheater, library, market hall and civic plaza, along with new investments to preserve and expand affordable housing for residents. Check out this article featuring more about what this funding will bring to the County and what it means for residents.