Government

County Officials Begin Plans To Increase Driver Safety

THE AFRO — Prince George’s County’s top three law enforcers spent part of tax day in “a driveby” to save lives. County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy and Police Chief Hank Stawinski drove through neighborhoods and on major thoroughfares and began trying to change the mindset of motorists to avoid distractions when behind the wheel that have been fatal during the first quarter of 2019.

Published

5 years ago

April 27, 2019

Oakland Post

By Mark F. Gray

Prince George’s County’s top three law enforcers spent part of tax day in “a driveby” to save lives. County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy and Police Chief Hank Stawinski drove through neighborhoods and on major thoroughfares and began trying to change the mindset of motorists to avoid distractions when behind the wheel that have been fatal during the first quarter of 2019.

Alsobrooks and Stawinski spent Monday morning cruising through the County and stopping vehicles whose operators were violating basic driving safety laws spreading the message of non-distracted driving. The County Executive feels by reinforcing Maryland’s hands free laws, that require drivers not to text, program GPS coordinates or use their mobile with their hands while driving, will reduce the amount traffic related fatalities which are plaguing the area.

“Consistent messaging does change behavior,” Alsobrooks said to the AFRO. “We’re going back to reaffirming what driver safety is. We expect to see a change in behavior over time.”

Alsobrooks and Stawinski have seen the practice of consistent messaging work in reducing the amount of major crimes throughout Prince George’s County, such as their work towards domestic violence when the County Executive was State’s Attorney. Alsobrooks notes there was a 20 percent reduction in domestic violence cases in 2018 through greater community awareness and understanding how to report incidents. Their hope is for heightened awareness strategies will have the effect on driver safety.

“We’re clearly committed to reducing the number of fatalities on our roads,” Stawinski said. “We’re seeing the kind of progress we need to see but we’re asking the community to do more.”

Their plans, which both acknowledge will take some time to achieve the desired impact, are still a work in progress as the county grows. Commercial and residential redevelopment continue to bring more drivers into the County adding to traffic congestion and more distracted drivers on the roads. Despite the tragic start of the year, especially in southern Maryland on I-210 between Oxon Hill and Acockeek, 2018 marked the significant drop in the number of driving fatalities since 2014.

Five years ago when the proliferation of speed cameras and checkpoints began on Indian Head Highway, there were 69 driver related deaths compared to 54 homicides. Each year since there has been a steady decline. Last year there were 49 traffic fatalities.

“This community is rapidly evolving and this department is evolving to meet their needs,” Stawinski said. “The number of fatal collisions have reduced year after year.”

While educating drivers remains paramount, Prince George’s leaders remain committed to enforcing the traffic laws already on the books. Drivers who are distracted will feel the wrath of law enforcement authorities who have been empowered to write more tickets for drivers who text or have their hands full while driving.

The generation of new drivers who are addicted to their mobile devices are being urged to remember that texting and social media updates while being behind the wheel can lead to criminal charges or much worse.

“It doesn’t matter what age,” Alsobrooks said. “Drivers have to remain focused on the road.”

Braveboy promises to fully prosecute those who are driving impaired and cause a fatal accident.

“There is nothing worse than someone who is not wearing a seatbelt and involved in a collision,” Braveboy said. “Limbs can be severed or lead to something even worse. It can be heartbreaking for families when they can’t leave the casket open during the funeral.”

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

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21 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Oakland Post

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California Black Media

Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Yahushua Nyerere Robinson (Courtesy Photo)

By California Black Media

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.

The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.

The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.

Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”

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City Government

LAO Releases Report on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in California Child Welfare System

Racial inequalities in California’s child welfare system disproportionately impact poor Black and Native American children, according to a report released April 3 by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). The report, which was presented to the Assembly Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services — chaired by Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) — states that the proportion of low-income Black and Native American children in foster care is four times larger than other racial and ethnic groups in the state.

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

“Racial and ethnic disproportionality and disparities are present within initial allegations and persist at all levels of the system -- becoming the most pronounced for youth in care,” the report states.

Racial inequalities in California’s child welfare system disproportionately impact poor Black and Native American children, according to a report released April 3 by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO).

The report, which was presented to the Assembly Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services — chaired by Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) — states that the proportion of low-income Black and Native American children in foster care is four times larger than other racial and ethnic groups in the state. Half of the children from each racial group has experienced some level of child welfare involvement before reaching legal age.

Jackson is a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus.

“Racial and ethnic disproportionality and disparities are present within initial allegations and persist at all levels of the system — becoming the most pronounced for youth in care,” the report states.

The disparities have persisted over the last decade across the state, the LAO found, adding that Black children living in poverty are more likely to enter foster care. State data shows that there is a correlation between poverty and foster placement in each county.

“Throughout all levels of the child welfare system, families experiencing poverty are more likely to come to the attention of and be impacted by the child welfare system,” stated the report.

Overall, the report revealed that more than half of the families affected by the state child welfare system earn $1,000 per month, significantly less than the national average of $5,000 a month.

The financial disparities highlighted in the LAO report align with existing research indicating that poverty is among the main factors contributing to the likelihood of child maltreatment. State anti-poverty programs include cash aid, childcare subsidies, supportive housing, and nutrition assistance.