Earlier today I received a copy of the letter that Bruce Romer sent to City Manager David Humpton declining to allow Gaithersburg City Police authority to enforce trespassing at the 17 N. Frederick Ave location that the day laborers now appear to be using. I asked Mr. Humpton for his reaction to this and, if possible, a copy of the letter that Mr. Romer had been replying to. Mr Humpton provided both, via Public Information Director Britta Monaco. You can download copies of of Mr. Humpton’s original letter as a pdf and Mr. Romer’s response as a Microsoft Word document. Here are Mr Humpton’s comments as relayed by Ms. Monaco:
City Manager Humpton asked to me to respond to your inquiry. The statement below and the two attachments referenced in the statement were sent to a local neighborhood listserv this afternoon. This statement will also be posted on the City’s website tomorrow:
A Statement from City Manager David B. Humpton Regarding Trespass Enforcement
September 21, 2006As you may know, the property owners of the shopping center at 117 North Frederick Avenue, the Duvall Shopping Center, and the Duron Paint store have granted the Gaithersburg City Police agency to enforce trespassing laws at these locations. As a result of our recent enforcement, a number of the day laborers have moved to the vacant property at 17 North Frederick Avenue (the County-leased property) and the adjoining public right-of-way.
The property at 17 North Frederick Avenue is under lease to the Montgomery County government. Yesterday, I corresponded with Montgomery County Chief Administrative Officer Bruce Romer and requested that the County government grant agency to the City Police so we could also enforce trespassing laws at 17 North Frederick Avenue (the County-leased property). Unfortunately, the County has denied our request. Please see the attached letters.
While the City Police cannot enforce trespassing at 17 North Frederick Avenue (the County-leased property) at this time, I have directed the Police Department to monitor the property closely and proactively enforce all existing laws addressing issues such as public consumption of alcohol, urinating in public, and disorderly conduct.
Please note that during their September 5, 2006 meeting, the Mayor and City Council unanimously agreed that 17 North Frederick Avenue (the County-leased property) was not a suitable location for an employment center, and I have relayed this position to Montgomery County officials. Be assured that this issue remains a top priority for the City and we are committed to developing a measured and appropriate response. Please contact me at 301-258-6310 if you have any questions.
Britta Monaco
Public Information Director
City of Gaithersburg
31 S. Summit Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Phone: 301-258-6310 x2111
Fax: 301-948-6149
www.gaithersburgmd.gov
Update: This statement, and the letters, are now available on the City’s website.
[…] Statement from David Humpton […]
[…] This is in front of the 7-11 and the Chinese restaurant in the Duvall shopping center between Walker and Maryland Avenues, on MD 355. The police have also been given authority to enforce trespassing laws in this shopping center, which is a block north of the center they had been kicked out of a couple of weeks ago. […]
[…] Day Laborers in the Rain II: Shantytown By gaithersblog A reader of this blog has provided pictures of the activities this rainy morning at 17 N Frederick Ave. Seems that they are working on building a shantytown, to be dubbed “Romerville”, after our favorite public servant and chief supporter of the assembly at this site. […]