My Comprehensive Plan for Addressing Key Issues in Prince George’s County
Prince George’s County will be a model of inclusive governance, economic growth, and community development, prioritizing the needs of residents while fostering a safe, sustainable, and thriving environment for all. Through transparent leadership and strategic partnerships, we will ensure that Prince George’s County remains a vibrant and equitable place to live, work, and grow.
Priority Areas and Strategic Initiatives
1. Public Safety and Crime Prevention
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Rebuild Trust Between Law Enforcement and the Community:
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Implement community policing strategies, increasing
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officer visibility and engagement.
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Develop a Civilian Oversight Board to ensure accountability and transparency.
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Expand Public Safety Resources:
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Recruit and retain highly trained police officers with competitive pay and benefits.
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Invest in state-of-the-art technology, such as body cameras and crime analytics tools.
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Address Root Causes of Crime:
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Increase funding for youth mentoring programs, job training, and substance abuse treatment.
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Expand mental health crisis intervention teams to handle non-violent incidents.
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2. Economic Development and Job Creation
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Foster Small Business Growth:
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Create a Small Business Resource Center to provide mentorship, grants, and access to low-interest loans.
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Streamline the permitting and licensing process to encourage entrepreneurship.
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Attract and Retain Employers:
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Partner with private-sector companies to establish regional hubs for technology, healthcare, and green energy.
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Offer tax incentives for businesses that hire locally and invest in community development.
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Promote Workforce Development:
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Partner with local schools and community colleges to expand job training programs.
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Establish apprenticeship and internship opportunities in high-demand industries.
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3. Education and Youth Empowerment
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Support Parental Rights and Engagement:
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Increase transparency in curriculum development and foster parent-teacher collaboration.
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Enhance School Infrastructure and Resources:
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Secure funding to repair aging school facilities and build new ones where needed.
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Equip schools with modern technology to support digital learning.
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Invest in After-School and Summer Programs:
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Partner with community organizations to provide academic enrichment, arts, and sports programs.
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Expand STEM and vocational education opportunities to prepare students for the future workforce.
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4. Transportation and Infrastructure
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Improve Road Safety and Maintenance:
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Increase funding for road repairs, snow removal, and pothole management.
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Develop a comprehensive plan to reduce traffic congestion by synchronizing traffic lights and expanding road capacity.
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Expand Public Transit Options:
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Collaborate with state and regional partners to expand bus routes and improve Metro reliability.
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Develop affordable and accessible transportation options for seniors and residents with disabilities.
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Invest in Green Infrastructure:
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Promote bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly streets, and electric vehicle charging stations.
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Enhance stormwater management systems to mitigate flooding risks.
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5. Environmental Sustainability and Clean Energy
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Protect Wetlands and Natural Resources:
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Strengthen land-use policies to limit overdevelopment and preserve green spaces.
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Partner with conservation organizations to restore local ecosystems.
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Promote Renewable Energy Adoption:
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Incentivize solar panel installations and energy-efficient home upgrades.
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Transition county-owned buildings to renewable energy sources.
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Enhance Waste Management:
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Expand recycling programs and educate residents about reducing waste.
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Partner with businesses to reduce single-use plastics and promote sustainable packaging.
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6. Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention
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Expand Access to Affordable Housing:
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Leverage public-private partnerships to build affordable housing units.
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Increase funding for rental assistance programs and first-time homebuyer initiatives.
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Prevent Homelessness:
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Strengthen eviction prevention services by connecting residents to legal aid and financial counseling.
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Develop supportive housing programs for veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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7. Health and Wellness
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Expand Access to Healthcare:
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Increase funding for community health clinics to provide affordable care.
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Address healthcare disparities by investing in underserved areas.
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Promote Mental Health Services:
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Partner with schools and employers to offer counseling and mental health education.
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Develop a countywide suicide prevention task force.
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Encourage Active Lifestyles:
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Expand parks and recreational facilities to promote physical activity.
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Launch wellness campaigns focused on nutrition and chronic disease prevention.
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8. Good Governance and Transparency
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Increase Accountability:
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Establish an Ethics Oversight Office to monitor government operations and ensure compliance.
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Require public disclosure of all major county contracts and expenditures.
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Engage Residents in Decision-Making:
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Host regular town hall meetings and provide digital platforms for citizen input.
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Launch a "Participatory Budgeting" initiative to allow residents to vote on local projects.
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Streamline Government Services:
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Modernize the county’s IT systems to make accessing services faster and easier.
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Create a one-stop-shop portal for permits, licenses, and public records.
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Implementation Plan
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Short-Term Goals (1-2 years):
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Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment in all priority areas.
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Launch pilot programs for community policing, affordable housing, and public transit enhancements.
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Develop strategic partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, and regional governments.
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Mid-Term Goals (3-5 years):
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Achieve measurable reductions in crime rates, homelessness, and unemployment.
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Increase school graduation rates and improve standardized test performance.
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Complete key infrastructure upgrades and expand green initiatives.
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Long-Term Goals (5+ years):
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Establish Prince George’s County as a regional leader in economic development and environmental sustainability.
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Create a legacy of transparent, inclusive governance that serves as a model for other counties.
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Ensure that all residents enjoy a high quality of life with equitable opportunities.
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Conclusion This comprehensive plan reflects a commitment to addressing the key challenges facing Prince George’s County while leveraging its immense potential. Together, we will build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous community for generations to come. Leadership rooted in integrity, collaboration, and action will transform our vision into reality.