12-06-2025
MCDOT looking to deter crime in Silver Spring parking garage in a unique way
SILVER SPRING, Md. (DC News Now) — Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) officials are trying a pilot program with a unique approach to deterring crime in one Downtown Silver Spring parking garage.
It's rolling out 'Parker,' a security robot that's meant to keep people safe and protect cars in the Town Square Parking Garage.
Officials will see how effective Parker is over the next year. If it performs well, similar robots could be placed in other garages.
MCDOT is leasing Parker for one year. The cost is just shy of $100,000.
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Officials say Parker can navigate each level of the garage. It has 360-degree cameras, an alarm, motion sensors and a speaker for audio messages.
'It could be helpful and to just kind of keep an eye on what's going on in the garages,' Kristin, who lives in Silver Spring, said. 'I hope so. We did have our car broken into in this garage.'
Chembe Chipwe said, 'Now, we're safe. You can park your car, and you are free. You can go because this is very important and it's helping a lot of people.'
MCDOT says the robot won't replace people. It simply will add to the security measures already in place.
Officials say video captured by Parker will be shared with the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD).
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