Council Connections

COUNCIL MEMBERS HONOR KING DOUGLAS AT STREET SIGN UNVEILING 

County leaders, including Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5) and At-Large Council Member Calvin Hawkins, attended the unveiling of King Douglas Way, a street named in honor of 13-year-old King Douglas who was tragically killed by another child in 2021. The street sign is located on Ritchie Station Court near the Forestville shopping center where King died. At the street naming on Saturday, April 20, alongside King’s mother and family members, Chair Ivey and Council Member Hawkins proclaimed April 20th ‘King Douglas Day’ in Prince George’s County. Council Member Hawkins later presented King’s mother, Ja’Ka McKnight, with a $5,000 check for her son’s charity, the For King We Stand Foundation. McKnight thanked all who attended the celebration of her son’s life, vowing that his name and spirit will live on.

COUNTY COUNCIL RECOGNIZES PGCPS ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT DURING PROCLAMATION CEREMONY

A Proclamation was presented to the Gwynn Park Yellow Jackets Girls Basketball Team recognizing them as the 2A Regional Champions and the 3A/2A/1A County and League Champions.

A Proclamation was presented to Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr., Pumas Boys Basketball Team, recognizing them as the 2023-2024 4A Regional and League Basketball Champions.

A Proclamation was presented to the Largo Lions Boys Basketball Team, recognizing them as the 2023-2024 2A Regional and State Basketball Champions.

A Proclamation was presented to the Gwynn Park Yellow Jackets Boys Basketball Team recognizing them as the 3A/2a/1a County and League Champions.

COUNCIL PRESENTS LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH JUVENILE CURFEW ZONES

In response to the recent increase in criminal activity in the County and its neighboring jurisdictions, the Council, with the assistance of local law enforcement, is taking more aggressive, proactive measures to stem the tide of juvenile crime. During Council session on Tuesday, April 16th, CB-029-2024, legislation vesting the chief of police with the authority to create more restrictive juvenile curfew zones in commercial areas was presented.  A large portion of criminal activity in the County is perpetrated by young people under the age of 18 and the legislation, proposed by District 8 Council Member Edward Burroughs III, aims to fight the County's increase in juvenile criminal activity.

LEGISLATION PRESENTED TO TIGHTEN GHOST GUN REGULATIONS

The County Council, during session on April 16^th, also presented legislation to bolster the County’s ghost gun regulations.  CB-030-2024, legislation sponsored by Council Members Calvin Hawkins (At-Large) and Krystal Oriadha (District 7), adds ghost guns to the list of prohibited loaded weapons; prohibits the transfer of untraceable firearms to minors; and maximizes the fine for violations.

PLANNING, HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CONDUCTS BUDGET WORKSESSIONS; REVIEWS LEGISLATION

The Council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee (PHED) convened twice last week, on Monday, April 15^th, and Thursday, April 18^th for several budget work sessions and the review of legislation. Monday’s committee meeting included the review of FY 2025 Proposed Budgets for Experience Prince George’s, Financial Services Corporation, and the Redevelopment Authority. CB-028-2024 establishing a new use, "Cigar Club/Lounge," in the County Zoning Ordinance was also favorably considered.

Thursday’s meeting included budget work sessions for the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Housing Authority. CB-015-2024, Zoning Ordinance – Omnibus Bill legislation, and CB-027-2024, legislation providing an extension for access to prior subdivision regulations were also supported by the committee.

COUNCIL MEMBER EDWARD BURROUGHS LAUNCHES FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

District 8 Council Member Edward Burroughs III has partnered with Prince George’s Community Federal Credit Union (PGCFCU) and the Financial Empowerment Center at PGCC to launch a program to help residents boost their credit scores and secure a healthier financial future. This credit-builder loan program allows District 8 residents to make $44 monthly deposits for a year and receive a $500 match at the end of the year. Past participants in a similar program have seen, on average, a 20- to 67-point jump in their credit scores after making consistent payments. The program is funded through the MGM Local Impact Grant Fund, a portion of gaming and tax revenue dedicated to the community around the casino. While the $500 match is only available to District 8 residents, the PGCFCU credit-builder program is open to all Prince Georgians! “April is Financial Literacy Month, and it’s a fact that Black and Brown people generally have lower credit scores and less access to financial services,” said Council Member Burroughs. “This program aims to break the cycle by educating citizens about how improving their credit score can be life-changing, and, more importantly, allowing them to make that change.” Burroughs appeared on FOX5 to announce the program. For more information, click HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBER KRYSTAL ORIADHA CREATES MATERNAL HEALTH GUIDE

District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha has launched the Black Mother’s Guide Through Pregnancy and Postpartum Care, a virtual booklet that helps new Black mothers navigate their pregnancy while providing tips on postnatal care, mental health, doulas, and other resources pivotal to promoting a better quality of life for parents. The launch is part of the Council Member’s campaign to address health disparities of Black mothers. “With this guide, I hope to provide the necessary resources, tips and tools to expecting our new mothers while helping new families find their village of support,” said Council Member Oriadha. “As a new mom, I’ve dedicated my journey to helping other parents find the support they need.” View the guide HERE.

STUDENT SAFETY PROGRAM ‘SAFE PASSAGE’ LAUNCHES AT SEVERAL SCHOOLS

A program aimed to keep students safe as they walk home from school launched on April 15 at six Prince George’s County high schools. The Safe Passage Program is a collaborative effort led by Council Members Krystal Oriadha (District 7), Wala Blegay (District 6), Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5), School Board Member Branndon Jackson and District Heights Commissioner Anthony Tilghman. Adult volunteers have started monitoring intersections around schools to help prevent violence and keep an eye on students. The pilot program includes: Suitland, Largo, Central, Bladensburg and Charles Herbert Flowers high schools, as well as Andrew Jackson Middle School. For more information click HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ERIC OLSON AND INGRID WATSON HOST RESOURCE FAIR

Council Members Ingrid Watson (District 4) and Eric Olson (District 3), in partnership with Seabrook SDA Church, hosted a Seabrook Community Resource Fair on Thursday, April 18, at the Seabrook SDA Activity Center in Lanham. The event featured a range of County agencies, nonprofit organizations, and businesses serving Prince George’s County residents. Vendors addressing health and wellness, housing support, utility assistance, financial services, legal assistance, job training, and employment were also on hand to provide personalized assistance. The purpose of the resource fair was to get an assessment of community needs, and the event successfully achieved its goal! 

COUNCIL MEMBERS BLEGAY AND ORIADHA HOST EARTH DAY CLEAN-UP

More than 100 volunteers came out for an Earth Day Clean-Up on Marlboro Pike on Saturday, April 20. The event was organized by Council Members Wala Blegay (District 6) and Krystal Oriadha (District 7) in conjunction with State Sen. Nick Charles and other community stakeholders. Council members emphasized that it takes a village to care for the community, and they were thrilled with the huge turnout for the event.

April 23 - General Assembly Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

April 23 - County Council - 12:30 PM - Agenda Briefing 

April 23 - County Council - 1:00 PM - DETAILS 

April 23 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 1:45 PM - DETAILS

April 23  - TIEE Committee - 2:30 PM - DETAILS

April 23 -  County Council - 6:00 PM -  DETAILS

April 24 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

April 25 - TIEE Committee - 10:00 AM  - DETAILS

April 25 - GOFP Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.