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Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Montgomery County leaders introduce bill to deter illegal house parties
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. () – Montgomery County leaders said they're trying to put a stop to illegal house parties that are causing problems in many communities. Montgomery County councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Dawn Luedtke recently introduced Bill 13-25 which would fine people up to $5,000 if they don't have the right permits for a party. Currently, the maximum fine is only $500. Neighbors help woman escape home fire in Rockville Neighbors in the Woodfield Estates community in Gaithersburg said they're fed up with illegal house parties happening in their neighborhood. 'It's just mindboggling that this is even allowed to exist,' Seth, who's lived in the community for 10 years, said. 'This is not a not club.' They said one home in the neighborhood has been the site of several illegal house parties for three years. 'It's just a sea of people displaying all different kinds of lewd behavior,' Seth said. 'Obviously, like drunk and intoxicated in public. People trespassing, coming on my property, my neighbors' property. Driving on our properties, going to the bathroom on our properties.' 'So thankful, appreciative': Playset built for 7-year-old with leukemia in Montgomery County Seth said he and others call the police when the parties are taking place. Officers often tell them there's not much they can do. 'There are people who are genuinely scared,' he said. 'When you've got people here for a party that you don't know who they are, or where they are, or where they belong to, nor does the person hosting the party.' Seth said Council passing Bill 13-25 would be a step in the right direction, but not a long-term solution to the problem. 'I'm all for the legislation,' he said. 'This has been years in the making. Again, what are you going to do to enforce it?' As for that home where the parties are supposed to have taken place, DC News Now talked to the owner, Eric Tataw. He said a friend was responsible for two parties last year. 'I asked the friend to leave because he had the first and the second, and when the police came, I said, 'You know what? It has to stop, and you have to leave,'' Tawtaw said. Parents, teachers react to Montgomery County Public Schools updated cell phone policy Tataw said he is in favor of the proposed legislation to increase fines for illegal house parties. 'That's a proactive approach from County Council,' he said. 'I support that 100%.' The Council has scheduled a public hearing for Bill 13-25 on Tuesday, June 10. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Montgomery County PD expands drone program to Bethesda
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. () — On Wednesday, Montgomery County leaders and the Montgomery County Department of Police announced that it is expanding its Drone as First Responder Program (DFR) to Bethesda. The program first launched in Montgomery County in November 2023. Since then, the drones have completed over 2,000 flights and operate in the downtown Silver Spring, Wheaton/Glenmont, and Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village areas. 'I'm thrilled about the long-awaited expansion of the Drone as First Responder Program in Bethesda, which will help us leverage technology to reduce response times and improve public safety,' said Councilmember Andrew Friedson, who represents Bethesda. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Montgomery County PD drone program completes 1,000 flights, improves response times Since its induction, the DFR has improved emergency response efforts and assisted law enforcement. The drone's average response time is under 90 seconds, but officials noted that drones typically reach the scene in under 60 seconds. Data from DFR's dashboard reflected that the drones were mostly deployed in theft and robbery cases. The second-highest number of calls were for suspicious people or vehicles. According to Montgomery County, they have also been used to help locate crime suspects, people experiencing mental health crises and missing persons. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich emphasized that the program was part of ongoing efforts to leverage technology and make operations more effective. 'The Drone as First Responder Program represents one of our largest and smartest investments in utilizing technologies to keep our communities safer and our police and first responders safer,' said Elrich. According to Montgomery County, in 2024, overall crime dropped across the county by 7%, but the number of homicides and carjackings showed the largest drop. Late last year, officials noted that a conviction was secured because of evidence obtained from a drone camera. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
