The Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, joined by Montgomery County Chief of Police Marcus Jones and officers from the MCPD 3rd District will launch a new business watch program this morning, according to GSSCC President & CEO Stephanie Helsing.
The Silver Spring Safety Alliance brings the “neighbors looking out for neighbors” concept to the business community, creating a partnership in progress between downtown Silver Spring businesses and the 3rd District, according to a press release.
Any local business can participate, according to Helsing; chamber membership is not required.
Participating businesses will receive a window sticker (shown above) for display
The Silver Spring Safety Alliance is the opportunity for the business community to be more engaged and will, quoting from the release:
- Promote communication and understanding between law enforcement and business
- Encourage and enhance cooperation among merchants
- Teach merchants to crime-proof their own properties and watch over neighboring businesses.
The chamber also will develop an email distribution list that any businesses or property owners can join, to quickly disseminate information about incidents, programs, trainings, and more.
In addition, the chamber will facilitate quarterly safety briefings with the MCPD 3rd District via virtual and in-person options, and post signs in the CBD to alert people that this is a Silver Spring Safety Alliance Business Watch area.
“We are hoping to foster collaboration for a safer, more cohesive, and vibrant business community and dispel the perception of Silver Spring as unsafe,” Helsing wrote in an email to the Source. “We are also hoping to improve lines of communications, so that all businesses know what is happening and are working together.”
The launch will be held at 11 a.m. today (May 17) on the Ellsworth Drive stage in Downtown Silver Spring.
GSSCC graphic
Join the GSSCC, Montgomery County Chief of Police – Marcus Jones, and officers from the Montgomery County Police Department 3rd District for the launch of the Silver Spring Safety Alliance at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17, at the DTSS Stage on Ellsworth Dr https://t.co/KXXAyzOkZ4 pic.twitter.com/B6HMMNLbqc
— GSSCC (@GSSChamber) May 16, 2023