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Montgomery County commander urges residents to ‘be your own best advocate,’ offers holiday package-theft advice
Summary
Commander Pacerno of the Montgomery County Police 5th District told Council member Marilyn Balcom that residents should lock doors, stay aware, use cameras or PO boxes for deliveries and report suspicious activity; he highlighted data-driven policing and community engagement across a geographically large district with about 150,000 residents.
Commander Pacerno, commander of the Montgomery County Police 5th District, urged Germantown-area residents to take simple, practical steps to reduce thefts and stay safe during a brief public-safety interview with Council member Marilyn Balcom.
Pacerno, a nearly 24-year department veteran who said he has led the 5th District for about three months, framed policing in the area as a balance between data-driven enforcement and attention to individual victims. "Do not assume anything," he said, advising residents to lock car and front doors and to remain aware of their surroundings rather than relying solely on crime statistics.
The commander described the 5th District as covering Germantown, Clarksburg and Damascus and said it includes about 150,000 residents; he noted the district is the largest by area but the smallest by population, which creates different policing needs across neighborhoods. He also outlined prior work in investigative units, developing a real-time intelligence center and overseeing a drone-as-first-responder program.
With the holidays approaching, Pacerno highlighted an uptick in package thefts and urged practical steps to reduce risk. "Every minute of packages out in your front porch increases the likelihood of the risk of it being taken," he said. Recommended steps included installing front-door cameras and sharing footage with police when helpful, using PO boxes or carrier pickup locations, arranging for deliveries to be placed inside a garage where feasible, and asking neighbors to report suspicious activity.
Pacerno said the department focuses on frequent, unpredictable patrols at sites where people gather — churches, seasonal events and shopping areas — to provide reassurance. He repeated a common public-safety slogan: "See something, say something," adding that residents should call 911 for suspicious behavior and, when available, forward video evidence to officers.
Balcom, who identified herself as the council member for District 2, thanked Pacerno for his time and for engaging directly with the community. The interview ended with holiday well-wishes; no formal actions or policy changes were announced during the conversation.
