Sheriff’s Office shares Thanksgiving with Bradbury Heights Community

Sheriff Melvin C. High and members of the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff joined Valuable Blessings, Inc at Bradbury Heights Elementary School on Wednesday, November 21^st for the organizations annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Coat and Toy Drive.

PGSO assisted in greeting members of the community and serving Thanksgiving Dinner.

Valuable Blessings Inc. works to reduce violence among youth in our communities by reaching out and offering several options that will strengthen and broaden their minds.

Bradbury Heights Elementary is located within Suitland/Coral Hills- one of the six specific communities outlined in County Executive’s Rushern Baker’s Transforming Neighborhood Initiative (TNI).

 For more information on Valuable Blessings, Inc visit www.valuableblessings.com

Sheriff’s Deputies Arrest Felony Assault Suspect

Upper Marlboro, MD…  The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest today of Cordell Blackwell on an arrest warrant for First Degree Assault obtained by County Police District III detectives on November 18, 2012.

According to the warrant, Blackwell was in the 8600 block of Cryden Way, in Capitol Heights, MD, on November 16, 2012, when he got into a verbal dispute with another male. Blackwell allegedly pulled out a black handgun and threatened the life of the other man. He eventually fled the scene of the incident, but was later identified by the victim during the police investigation.

Deputies investigating Blackwell’s whereabouts were led to the 3800 block of Blackwater Rd, in Clinton, MD, where he was located and arrested without incident.

District III detectives were notified of the arrest and Blackwell was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections – charged with First and Second Degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony and Illegal Possession of a Handgun.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

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“Purple Ribbon” a Symbol of Support for Victims of Domestic Violence

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office launched its “Purple Ribbon” initiative last week as a way of continuing to drive awareness around the crime of domestic violence and to remind victims that there is support and help available. The purple ribbon is a universal identifier of the fight against domestic violence, and has been adopted internationally as a symbol to raise domestic violence awareness. 

The focus of the initiative is a purple ribbon that will be displayed on Sheriff’s marked emergency vehicles with the caption “End Domestic Violence” and the email address to the Office of the Sheriff’s blog page.  The easily accessible blog page www.pgsheriff.blogspot.com  includes phone numbers for the Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID) Special Victim Assistants (SVA) who are available to provide information and resources to victims of domestic violence.

                                                                               

The Sheriff’s Office DVID provides a comprehensive response to domestic violence; pre-intervention with the service of protective orders, on-site intervention by responding to 9-1-1 calls for service in Police District III and aftercare or post intervention response by the Special Victim Assistants who help victims countywide navigate the court process and/or direct them to the services and resources they need.

“The battle against this crime is a very important one and there is a great deal of cooperation among law enforcement, the courts and professionals in domestic violence to raise awareness around domestic violence crime and to help victims become survivors,” said Sheriff Melvin C. High. “The model of response we’ve developed over the years in domestic violence response has been recognized by industry professionals and the assessment of an independent expert; we will continue to share that model with community, families and partners whenever we can. “ 

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff’s Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.                                                                               ###

Attempted Second Degree Murder Suspect Arrested by Sheriff’s Warrant Deputies

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest last Thursday of Arturo Cazares-Perea on an arrest warrant for Attempted Second Degree Murder, obtained by New Carrollton Police Department detectives on November 7, 2012.

According to the warrant, Cazares-Perea stabbed a male victim in the 8300 block of Larchwood St. in New Carrollton, following an argument over a picture that had been posted on the internet.

Deputies investigating Cazares-Perea’s whereabouts were led to 3600 block of 40^th St. in Colmar Manor, MD, where he was located and apprehended without incident.

Cazares-Perea was transported to the Prince George’s County Detention Center and detectives were notified of the arrest. He is charged with Attempted Second Degree Murder, First and Second Degree Assault and Reckless Endangerment.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

  

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Sheriff’s Explorers Post 1696 Open House Hosts Twenty-eight

Upper Marlboro, MD… Explorers Post 1696 hosted twenty-eight recruits at the Sheriff’s Headquarters on Wednesday for interested applicants between the ages of 14-20.

Potential Explorers and their parents were introduced to the idea, history, and expectations of the Prince George’s Sheriff’s Office (PGSO) Explorers program by rotating through three sessions: Information Presentation, K-9 Demo, and the Specialized Services Team (SST) which gave the guests an opportunity to further understand career opportunities with the Sheriff’s Office.

Under the guidance of Sergeant Yakeisha Hines, Post 1696 currently has 12 explorers and numerous recruits. Since 2003; Post 1696 has been recognized nationally for its championship Drill & Ceremonies team, Best Uniform, and Explorer Post of the year.

Sheriff Melvin C. High and Lieutenant Colonel Mark Roccapriore were on hand to greet the prospective explorers and their parents.

Guest speakers included Former Explorer Officers Devan Martin- Cottage City Police Department, Officer Ricardo Biddy- Prince George’s County Police Department, and Deputy First Class Jamal Dedier- Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff, Assistant Director James Hamlin, and District Executive Phillip Barbash- National Capitol Area Council Boys Scouts of America.

For more information on the Sheriff’s Office Explorers Post 1696 visit www.pgso1696.weebly.com

or contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.

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Sheriff’s Deputy Involved in Shooting While Serving Peace Order

Upper Marlboro, MD…  Prince George’s County Sheriff Melvin C. High confirmed an officer-involved shooting yesterday, at the residence of 6312 63^rdAvenue, in Riverdale, MD.  The shooting occurred at approximately 7:30 pm, after Deputy Sheriff Paul Perriello attempted to serve a Temporary Peace Order on Franklin H. Sweeney Jr. Sheriff’s Deputies had previously made four unsuccessful attempts to serve the court’s order, which was issued by the District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County on November 8, 2012.

Perriello, a veteran law enforcement officer with more than 20 years of experience, was invited into the residence by an adult female, when an adult male - later determined to be Mr. Sweeney - appeared from the rear of the residence carrying a black handgun. Deputy Sheriff Perriello subsequently discharged his agency issued firearm, striking Mr. Sweeney. Mr. Sweeney was transported to The Prince George’s Hospital Center, where he was pronounced deceased at 8:20 pm.

Preliminary investigation of the incident has determined the black handgun to be a “replica handgun;” a photo of which is attached.

Consistent with standard procedure, the Prince George’s County Police Department is conducting an investigation into the shooting; the Sheriff’s Policy Compliance Division is conducting a concurrent administrative investigation. Deputy Sheriff Perriello has been placed on Administrative Leave pending investigation.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

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Sheriff/NAIFA Continue “Teddy Bear” Partnership

Upper Marlboro, MD…  Chief Assistant Sheriff Darrin Palmer accepted over 100 teddy bears from the Prince George’s County chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), at a breakfast meeting yesterday morning at Rips Restaurant in Bowie, MD. The Sheriff’s Office uses the teddy bears to help comfort small children that sheriff’s deputies come into contact with while responding to domestic violence calls for service.

 

“When we pass out these teddy bears, we help to provide a sense of normalcy to children during an otherwise frightening and chaotic situation,” said Colonel Darrin Palmer, who has maintained a partnership with NAIFA over the last eleven years. “While we continue our work to help victims of domestic violence, we also focus on provide comfort and stability to children placed in these unfortunate circumstances; and the teddy bears help us do that.”

The Prince George’s chapter of NAIFA began the teddy bear drive 14 years ago as a community partnership initiative with law enforcement.

Jeannette Jordan, President of the Prince George’s County NAIFA chapter, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to the teddy bear partnership, and thanked the members of NAIFA for their efforts in helping to provide teddy bears for the 2012 drive.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

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