August 2, 2023
Last night there were National Night Out events all across the country. Here in Rockville our residents held big ones, small ones, ones that only had one block participating to entire communities participating. It was a great example of grassroots organizing, bringing communities out and getting neighbors talking with neighbors and police and elected officials. I was at several National Night Out events last night and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one – hearing the concerns of residents in each of them.
The events themselves were so welcoming and the residents so full of pride in their community. It made me realize that although the neighborhoods in Rockville are different - together we form a cohesive whole – one city, one Rockville.
Rockville City Police Department and the Fire Department did a fantastic job of meeting Rockville residents and showing up in the communities around the City.
We are so fortunate to have a police department that prizes itself on its professionalism, its training standards and is constantly seeking to innovate and use the latest techniques and strategies to better integrate into the community. Just recently RCPD added a mental health specialist to the force. It is recognition that sometimes what is needed is not an arrest and detention but mental health services and this program in Rockville is on the cutting edge of recognizing the difference.
I know in this current environment the hiring and retention of qualified police officers is a real concern. Rockville is fortunate to have good and diverse leadership and personnel. But as municipalities and other agencies in the region continue to compete for people by upping retention bonuses, signing bonuses or other benefits it is incumbent on Rockville’s leaders to constantly reevaluate our own structure to ensure that RCPD remains competitive.
Rockville has a great police department with a great community presence but that does not mean it can not be improved upon. Listening to the needs of the police, listening to the needs of the neighborhoods and continued relationship building between residents, police and elected officials are all key.
If what I saw at the National Night Out events is any indication, it seems like Rockville is on the right track.
As a member of the Rockville City Council I will seek to make sure of it.
Together we can build a better future for ALL of Rockville.
Barry