City Rewind: Police Department Celebrates 50th Anniversary

April 1 marks the 50th anniversary of the Gaithersburg Police Department.

April 1 marks a day for jokes, but the Gaithersburg Police Department has been all business for 50 years. On April 1, 1963, a resolution was signed by then Mayor Merton F. Duvall establishing the Gaithersburg Police Department. In the 50 years since, the department has grown from three sworn officers and one civilian clerk to 57 sworn officers and 15 civilians, according to a city news release. “Over the last half century, the department has seen many changes, including increased strength of officers, technological advancement and training, and redesigns of the police cruisers and uniforms; however, our mission has not changed," Chief Mark P. Sroka said in a statement. "We remain committed to our core values of Service, Integrity and …

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Gaithersburg Police Issue 9 Citations, 131 Warnings In Pedestrian Safety Initiative

Police were stationed at three Gaithersburg intersections promoting pedestrian safety for both walkers and drivers.

In hope of preventing another fatal incident involving a pedestrian, Gaithersburg police took to three high-risk intersections to promote pedestrian safety to walkers and drivers alike. On March 26, from 4-9 p.m., Gaithersburg officers were stationed at Clopper Road at Firstfield Road, Route 355 at Odend Hal Avenue and Great Seneca Highway at Orchard Ridge Drive, according to a news release.  The focus was on pedestrians not properly using crosswalks, drivers failing to stop at clearly marked stop lines and drivers failing to yield to pedestrians. Drivers and pedestrians observed in violation received either a citation or a pre-printed warning.  Officers issued 131 warnings and nine traffic citations to both pedestrians and drivers and …

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Gaithersburg Police Announce 2012 Officer and Supervisors of the Year

Officer Gregg Johannesen and Sergeant Chris Vance were honored by the Gaithersburg Police Department.

Gaithersburg Police Encourage Safe Driving During Holiday Season

"Safety is our number one priority,” said Chief of Police Mark P. Sroka.

The Gaithersburg Police Department has a simple message for travelers during the Thanksgiving holiday: Drive safe. “Officers will be out in force over the holiday weekend focusing on speed enforcement, seatbelt compliance, aggressive and impaired drivers," Gaithersburg Chief of Police Mark P. Sroka said. "Your safety is our number one priority." Gaithersburg police are encouraging drivers to plan ahead and be patient while traveling, not to text or make any hand held phone calls, and use a designated driver or public transportation if you find youself to be impaired. "If you see a driver you think may be impaired or is driving their vehicle in an unsafe manner, keep a safe distance and call the non-emergency number at 301-279-8000," police…

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Gaithersburg Police To Lure Thieves With 'Bait Car'

Gaithersburg announces an "Anti-Theft Vehicle” program.

Burglars be warned, the city of Gaithersburg has a new tool to catch you in the act. The city announced Tuesday the launch of its "Anti-Theft Vehicle" program, featuring a vehicle operated by the police and containing valuable items to draw attention to it. The "bait car" is equipped to immediately notify officers when a theft or attempted theft is made, and the criminal activity of the suspect is video recorded, according to the city. It will frequently be left unlocked and in locations identified as a high theft from vehicle area. The most common occurring crime in Gaithersburg is theft, city police spokesperson Dan Lane told Patch. "The trend of thefts from vehicles over the last two years has averaged about 20 a month and is spread …

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