Today, Wednesday, April 11, 2007, Chief of Police Cathy L. Lanier, of the Metropolitan Police Department, Chief of Police Melvin High, of the Prince George’s County Police Department and Joseph Persichini, Jr., the Assistant Director in Charge of the F.B.I ’s Washington Field Office met to discuss cross border crime fighting initiatives.  They were joined by command staff members and investigators from their respective departments.

The meeting was held to discuss various measures to combat crime across the border shared by both agencies.  Among the items discussed were:

• Increased border patrols
• Periodic joint strategy meetings
• Measures to combat auto thefts
• Combating violent crimes, i.e. homicides, etc.
• Crime Prevention Measures
• Strategic Problem Solving

Chief High said, “With the support of Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson, the Prince George’s County Police Department has worked cooperatively over the past several years to partner with our sister jurisdiction to facilitate connected community safety.  The results show our efforts have been fruitful and will continue with a cooperative effort from both jurisdictions.”

Chief Lanier noted, “I’d like to personally thank Mayor Adrian Fenty, Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr., and other members of our City Council who have done so much in working towards an even greater cooperative effort between our departments. As we all know, crime knows no borders so we must and will do even more to achieve our common goal of protecting our citizens.”