Keeping Takoma Park residents safe and secure is a team effort

It’s been a week since the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Building occurred. As you have seen from the messages of Takoma Park Police Chief Tony DeVaul, our police department is conferring with other public safety agencies, monitoring locations in Takoma Park, and scheduling staff to be prepared for the impacts of potential violent disruptions as we near the Presidential Inauguration on January 20.

Besides the work of the Police Department, all City departments are on call to serve the needs of public safety in Takoma Park. From communicating to the public, to reporting suspicious activity, to making sure we have barricades or equipment ready, to providing support to residents and staff, staff throughout the City government are working to ensure that we are prepared even as we keep calm.

As Chief DeVaul has said, there is no indication at this time that Takoma Park is a target. Please rest assured that we are working jointly to take care of our community.

What can you do?

First, avoid going to downtown Washington, D.C. on days of higher risk, particularly January 17-20. Inauguration activities are scheduled to take place mostly virtually, so you can watch safely from home.

Second, if you see or hear something that is especially concerning, contact Takoma Park Police at 301-270-1100 or – if an emergency – call 9-1-1.

Third, help bring down the anxiety level. The mental health pressures of these last months have been heavy, and comments or listserv postings that sound scary can add to the unease. Yes, be vigilant. But also help reassure others that we are in this together and the City of Takoma Park has your back.

Keeping Takoma Park residents safe and secure is a team effort. It involves all departments of the City government, our business owners, elected officials, and residents. In these unprecedented times, this team effort and collaborative strength will serve us well.

Thanks to you and the wonderful City staff for being this caring team!

Suzanne Ludlow