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Landover Hills council approves new police recruiting pay, reviews Town Hall renovation deadline
Summary
At its Aug. 19 meeting the Landover Hills Town Council approved a pay-and-bonus package intended to boost police recruitment, reviewed a June 1, 2025 deadline to complete Town Hall renovations tied to an existing grant, and heard code enforcement and public works updates.
The Landover Hills Town Council on Aug. 19 approved a new pay-and-bonus package for prospective police officers and reviewed a county-imposed June 1, 2025 deadline to complete Town Hall renovations tied to an existing grant.
Interim Chief of Police Elnos Gomez reviewed July calls for service, including two break-ins at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Landover Hills Baptist Church, and said a suspect tied to multiple church break-ins in surrounding communities was apprehended. Gomez presented a recruitment proposal that sets base salaries and signing bonuses by experience: new officers at $60,000 with a $6,000 bonus (paid in two installments); officers with one to five years’ experience at $65,000 with an $8,000 bonus; and officers with six to ten years’ experience at $70,000 with an $8,000 bonus. Councilmember Glenda Johnson moved to accept the proposal as read; Councilmember Joe Williams seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Town Manager Rommel Pazmino told the council he received a letter from the Prince George’s County Board of Public Works reminding the town of a June 1, 2025 deadline to finish Town Hall renovations under the existing grant. Pazmino said he is reviewing renovation plans proposed by former Town Manager Kathy Tavel and seeking proposals from different construction companies before returning with recommendations.
Code Enforcement Officer Michael Thompson reported ongoing enforcement contacts at a property on 71st Avenue that had previously operated as an assisted-living facility: Thompson said the homeowner has been cleaning up but recently displayed items (office chairs on the porch and bicycles in the yard) that led him to believe the property may again be operating as a business; he said he has contacted the State of Maryland to check registration. Thompson also said he is investigating a Taylor Street house potentially running an auto-repair business and noted that Prince George’s County no longer enforces a Pit Bull ban following a lawsuit.
On public works, Pazmino said county traps set to monitor mosquitoes caught none and county staff decided no spraying was necessary. He added that planned roadwork is on hold until the Prince George’s County Council returns from recess, and that he and Public Works staff will meet with PEPCO on a street-light survey connected to annexation discussions. The council asked staff and the town treasurer to explore a town-assisted tree-removal program with the town’s ARPA consultant and report back with a proposal.
During reports, Town Treasurer Fredy Aguilar said the annual audit is about 85% complete. In public comment, resident Asha Thomas — who said her address is outside town boundaries — spoke about annexation and was invited to discuss the matter with neighbors.
Before adjourning the regular meeting at 7:55 p.m., Councilmember Joe Williams moved and Councilmember Glenda Johnson seconded a motion to enter a closed session under General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland § 3-305(b)(3) to discuss personnel matters; a roll-call vote was unanimous and the closed session began.
