Three 2006 homicides in Takoma reflect national trend, but contrast with area murder rates
by Graham Taglang
The last time Takoma Park witnessed three homicides in a single year was 1996--the number that have already occurred in the first six months of 2006. Takoma Park had zero homicides in 2004 and 2005.
All three of the recent homicides have been the likely result of gunpoint burglaries, though no identifiable patterns have yet developed between them, according to police spokeswoman Carol Bannerman.
"Police have responded with great dispatch and picked up suspects for two of the murders almost immediately after they occurred," Bannerman said. "It's a sad state when someone is killed at the hands of another individual--police are continuing to work with the community to prevent these sorts of tragedies from happening."
Some citizens are understandably alarmed by the thought of an increasing homicide rate. "It's certainly a little discomforting to think about," said Marjorie Pratt, a young mother of two. "I'd like to think I can walk through my neighborhood and not have to worry about someone trying to hurt my family."
Others show only modest concern about the rising homicide rate.
"I can't say that I'm completely shocked," said Josh Anderson, a University of Maryland student who recently moved to Takoma. "I mean, some of the streets are a little ghetto, but I think it's a pretty safe town if you compare to other areas around here. It's part of the reason I moved here from College Park."
Councilman Doug Barry voices similar sentiment. "It's an area with a large populace and the spillover effect from higher crime areas into our oasis is almost inevitable without officers on every corner," Barry said. "It's all the more reason to have our own police department."
Old Town Residents Association President Seth Grimes says that the police force is part of the problem. The department is understaffed and needs to focus on retention of officers in order to prevent crimes," Grimes said. The loss of Police Chief [Cindy] Creamer will also present new challenges, as well as opportunities."
Chief Creamer will be retiring from the Police Department on August 1 of this year, according to the Takoma Park Newsletter.
Some may look toward surrounding areas for the trend toward higher homicide rates in Takoma Park. The District of Columbia's rate, however, is on track to decrease by almost 12 percent for the year. In 2004 and 2005 there were 198 and 195 homicides, respectively, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. At the midpoint of 2006 there are only 86, which if doubled equals about 170 for the year.
Prince George's County's projected rate, as of early July, is down almost 31 percent since last year. There were 148 in 2004 and 169 in 2005. So far in 2006 there have been 58, which if doubled, equals about 120.
Takoma's recent homicide increase does, however, parallel a national trend. In 2005 the homicide rate was 17,000--an increase of 4.8 percent from 2004 and a 15-year high, according to the Boston Globe.
The first homicide took place in late March, when James Saloma died of a heart attack after struggling with a burglar. The suspect, Daymon Lindsey, was charged with homicide because of a Maryland state law. Interestingly, one of the 1996 homicides also involved the death of a man who was struggling with a burglar.
The second occurred in late May when Victor Dao was shot in the back, execution style, during an armed robbery. "Unfortunately with Mr. Dao, he had done many of the things that we encourage people to do to ensure their safety," Bannerman said. No suspect has yet been named in this case.
The third, which occurred on June 10, is thought to be a burglary attempt, though an investigation into the motive is ongoing.
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