Dear Prince Georgians:
I am proud to announce that registration is now open for the Alsobrooks Summer Passport Experience, a new initiative that gives young people ages 12 to 18 throughout the County a variety of safe and fun activities to choose from this summer. We know that so many of our young people are looking for activities to do this summer, and it’s important that we work together as a community to provide them with positive experiences throughout the summer.
I want to encourage our young people to register for the Alsobrooks Summer Passport Experience before slots fill up. To register for the program, click here. For a full list of opportunities, click here. The cost of the Alsobrooks Summer Passport Experience is just $20 for all who participate. Those who participate will receive a “Passport,” program t-shirt, program bracelet, and at least two opportunities for fun this summer.
Participants will be able to select activities based on the 3 E’s: Education, Entrepreneurship and Entertainment. Examples of programs being offered include:
EDUCATION
- Drones, Cybersecurity and Media
- Financial Literacy and Wealth Building
- Beautiful Girls Inside and Out (physical and mental healthcare)
- Six Flags STEM and Theme Park Administration
- Youth Speaks Series (Arts/Media/Broadcasting, Environmental Stewardship, “This is NOT Cuffing Season”)
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- Owning Your Own Retail Business and Owning Your Own Franchise
- Careers in Plumbing 101
- Careers in Barbering 101 and Cosmetology 101
- “Shark Tank”
ENTERTAINMENT
- IKEA Bike Rodeo (in partnership with PGC PAL)
- White Water Rafting (in partnership with PGC PAL)
- 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
- Sky Zone
- UniverSoul Circus
Youth who are placed in an activity must pick up “Passports” and program materials on Monday, June 28, between 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Sports & Learning Complex in Landover. In addition, youth that have not yet been vaccinated will have the opportunity to do so while picking up materials at the Sports & Learning Complex. Also, please note the Summer Passport Experience does not conflict with the Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP). Youth who are participating in SYEP are not disqualified from signing up for available opportunities with the Summer Passport Experience.
We worked with community partners to create the Alsobrooks Summer Passport Experience to ensure our young people were not being overlooked this summer. I want to thank my office, the Office of Community Relations, the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, the Prince George’s County Police Athletic League (PGC PAL), the Office of Emergency Management, businesses, non-profits, and other organizations who are part of the Summer Passport Experience. Through our collective partnership and community involvement, we can provide structured opportunities for our young people to learn and socialize during the summer.
If you have questions about the Summer Passport Experience or need assistance with registering, please email pgcsummerpassport2021@co.pg.md.us.
Operation Heatwave
On Monday, I hosted a virtual community town hall with Acting Police Chief Malik Aziz to discuss community policing and police reform, as well as unveil the Police Department’s summer crime initiative, “Operation Heatwave.” The goal of Operation Heatwave is to reduce crime and increase community engagement in the County. More than anything, our residents should feel safe in every corner of our County. I want our residents to know that we are taking steps to reverse the uptick in crime so we can continue to build on our successful history of reducing violent crime in Prince George’s County.
Unfortunately, the rise in crime we’re seeing in our County is part of a national trend due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, reversing a rise in crime requires more than an increased police presence. It requires providing access to basic necessities for our residents and providing our youth with positive experiences and role models. If we combine this approach with positive, reform-minded policing, as well as engagement from our community, we can help reverse this rise in crime.
I want to invite you to watch the community town hall with Acting Police Chief Malik Aziz if you missed it. Operation Heatwave will run until September 8 and will address crime prevention, crime enforcement, and community engagement. This initiative relies on a data-drive approach, and based on the intelligence we’ve gathered, Operation Heatwave will target Suitland, Seat Pleasant, Temple Hills, Langley Park, Lewisdale, and Riverdale.
We understand that reducing crime in our community requires us to work equitably, and that prevention is the best medicine when it comes to crime reduction. I want to thank Acting Chief Aziz and the men and women of our Police Department for developing this new summer crime initiative. Finally, I want to thank Prince Georgians who remain so consistently engaged. I know that by working together, we can help keep our community safe from crime this summer and beyond.
Yours in Service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive