Howell looks to combat crime in Prince George’s County

Reducing crime is one of the most important issues facing Prince George’s County today, according to Adrion Howell (D-Glenn Dale), a local lobbyist and former liaison to Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson.

Howell vowed to work to “increase the size of the police force” in the county, if he is elected to fill the open District 5 county council seat vacated by state Sen. David Harrington (D-Cheverly), who was promoted to the General Assembly following the death of Gwendolyn Britt.  

“We need to support community oriented police forces and utilize the citizens,” Howell told PolitickerMD.com, saying he supported programs like a neighborhood watch.

The candidate also said he would support “cross-border initiatives” to reduce crime “coming in from Washington, D.C.” Howell said he would work with local and federal authorities to try and combat the problem.

Howell served for a year and half as Johnson’s liaison to the county council from 2005 to 2007. Since that time, he has worked as a lobbyist for Clear Channel Outdoor, a global outdoor advertising company, and with a developer seeking affordable housing for local residents.

Contrary to popular belief, Howell said he was not seeking Johnson’s endorsement in the race for the council, adding, “I am seeking the endorsement of the people.”

While in college, Howell worked as an intern in the congressional office of former Maryland Congressman and NAACP President Kweisi Mfume.

Mfume has endorsed Howell in the election, which the candidate called “significant,” saying Mfume has “a lot of support” in the community.

Howell also touted the endorsements of Dels. Jolene Ivey (D-Cheverly) and Victor Ramirez (D-Cheverly), along with the support that he has received from Glenn Ivey (D-Cheverly), the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County and husband of the delegate.

“I’m the most experienced, I have the most legislative experience, and I have the best command of the issues,” Howell said.

His opponents in the Democratic primary include Andrea Fletcher Harrison, the deputy chief of staff for the District 5 council office, and Mayor Adam Ortiz of Edmonston.

Howell said he did not think the experience that Harrison and Ortiz brought was “anywhere near the experience I bring.”

On other issues, Howell said education and the expansion of the commercial tax base in the district and county would be important to his service in the council.

“We need to fully fund the education budget,” Howell said.

“We also need to encourage businesses to come to Prince George’s County,” he added.

Howell said he has received “great feedback” from the community, and said he was confident that he would prevail in the April 1 special primary election.

“Nobody is outworking us,” Howell said.