Yesterday at 8:00 AM, I reported on the latest theft from a vehicle parked in the garage at Westbard Square in Bethesda, which was the 17th known case since February. About two hours later, at 10:08 AM, the development's owner, Regency Centers, released a statement by email regarding the crime wave. The full text of the email appears below, but the highlights regard actions the company is now taking to address the smash-and-grab thefts inside the garage. These actions are being taken in partnership with the Montgomery County Police Department.
Many people - including myself on this blog - have questioned why no images of the suspects in these cases have been made public, to assist in their identification and capture. Now we know, as Regency Centers confirmed in its message that there have only been cameras "at the main garage entrances" up to this point.
Next week, Regency Centers announced, additional cameras will be installed throughout the garage. The company added that MCPD will have direct access to this camera footage. In addition, the email stated that there will be license plate readers at the garage entry points.
The email did not address the March 29 shooting outside of Bowlero, from which one or more shooters remain at-large. Regency Centers' email follows:
"To our Westbard Square community:
As many of you know, there has been a noticeable increase in smash-and-grab incidents across the region in recent weeks. Unfortunately, Westbard Square has not been exempt. These crimes are not isolated to our property but are part of a wider pattern affecting other properties and facilities in the area.
Montgomery County Police have been actively engaged at Westbard Square, conducting on-site meetings with our security team and tenants, while also providing real-time updates as they work to address these concerns. Their presence and partnership are helping guide a coordinated response focused on prevention and enforcement.
While we have cameras at the main garage entrances, recent break-ins have occurred outside their range, limiting our ability to identify those responsible. To improve visibility, new security cameras are being installed next week to expand coverage throughout the garage. Once active, MCPD will have direct access to the footage. This will also support cross-referencing with license plate readers at entry points to help track suspicious activity more effectively.
We understand the community’s concern and share the urgency to improve safety. While enhanced surveillance and coordination with police are key steps, these crimes are often opportunistic. We encourage all visitors to keep vehicles locked and valuables out of sight or stored in the trunk. Simple precautions can go a long way in reducing risk.
We remain committed to keeping Westbard Square a safe and welcoming place and will continue sharing updates as additional measures are put in place.
Thank you for staying engaged with us.
Regency Centers, 5400 Westbard Avenue, Suite 250, Bethesda, MD 20816, 703 442 4300"
10 comments:
¿Qué pasa? "We remain committed to keeping Westbard Square a safe and welcoming place and will continue sharing updates as additional measures are put in place."
Notice how they are "committed" but remind people to do what they're already doing. You're almost better off leaving nothing in the car unlocked so you don't lose a day getting the glass replaced.
The real answer is to have consequences for these crimes. But that's a bridge too far for the council whose willing to levy a $500 first offense fine to a homeowner using a gas blower. The council really has zero self-awareness but they're too stupid to understand.
Regency/Westbard: I was fully engaged with the previous shopping center for years. I do not, and will not, engage with the current one. On top of the poor garage design and crime, which are enough to keep me away, why would I want my license plate read just to go to the store?
Glad for the statement. Finally. A slightly more positive way to view it is they say they will be installing more security cameras, which is good news. License plate readers mayb not help if people are leaving with backpacks. But we shall see.
They are not "too stupid to understand" that's their mode of operation.
Law abiding citizen requests fall upon death ears.
Is there really no punishment for breaking into a car and stealing? Not even a fine??!!
Is there anything about this development that hasn't been a disappointment? It wasn't like this neighborhood was prone to crime at all. It was a place that was safe even at night. Nope, this crime magnet was developed without a care in the world about the human needs of this once special community. This development was conceived to siphon resource from good people. It's like summoning crime from the universe.
Glad the cameras are coming, but the severe understaffing of MoCo PD limits how much enforcement action they can take.
Poor widdle Westbardians afraid of their new jewel box being overtaken by the bad boys from the hoods. Perhaps you should have demanded a moat or Wall of China being built around it. Tsk! Tsk!
From Charlie Cook of the Cook Report ... He was spot on all the way back in 2017 in seeing what the redevelopment plan for downtown Bethesda was shaping up to be.
Opinion: ‘I Hate What Bethesda Has Become’ ... New development is stripping downtown Bethesda of its charm and appeal
https://bethesdamagazine.com/2017/04/17/opinion-i-hate-what-bethesda-has-become/
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