Neighborhood curfew request shot down by Charles officials

Mortars being aimed at children and adults, trash cans being blown up, destruction of property at a community center, reckless driving, marijuana usage and underage drinking were all things that reportedly happened last Independence Day in Waldorf’s Stonehaven Community.

Those acts were reported to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office in an email by Nichole Hall, the HOA president of the neighborhood.

This year, Stonehaven residents have found materials on social media advertising a “Roman candle battle” in their community and are pleading county officials to do something to stop it.

The residents took it upon themselves to turn out to the Charles County commissioners’ public comment session on June 25 and raised enough concern to have an emergency meeting put in place between themselves, the commissioners, members of the state delegation and the Charles sheriff’s office.

Well over 30 community members went into the emergency meeting Wednesday evening seeking a curfew for their community on the Fourth of July, and left with the commissioners saying that they are putting their faith in Sheriff Troy Berry (D), who was not at the meeting.

However, representatives of the sheriff’s office had little to say at the meeting, supposedly to not compromise any plans they have.

County Attorney Wes Adams outlined early in the meeting that there was not “data that would support an emergency approach” from his legal point of view.

Adams also said that if any curfew were to be put in place, it would be put to the strictest of scrutiny so as to not violate the fundamental rights of those it is targeting.

“I do not think [a curfew] would survive the scrutiny of the court system,” Adams said. He advised the commissioners to refrain from seeking to implement one based on case law.

“Juveniles are difficult to deal with … from what I’m gathering, its not just juveniles in your community,” Commissioner Gilbert “BJ” Bowling (D) said. “I don’t want to villainize what [Wes Adams] just said, because it’s the law.”

“The only thing we can do is think of our officers as having the best intentions,” Commissioner Amanda Stewart (D) said.

Bowling told those in attendance that he was putting himself “out there” for Berry after a phone call he had with him the morning of June 26.

“We don’t want you to feel like you wasted your time tonight, because you didn’t,” Bowling said Wednesday to the residents in the room. “When the law prohibits you from getting you exactly what you want, its frustrating.”

Many residents stormed out of the meeting infuriated when they realized no action would be taken.

When closing statements rolled around, Del. Debra Davis (D-Charles), who joined the meeting virtually, said to a room far less full than when the meeting began, “I hope the residents feel better.”

Commissioner Amanda Stewart (D) advised that the residents remaining in the room all get security cameras, like Ring doorbells, to help curb crime.

“I don’t want that nonsense in my neighborhood,” Stewart said.

After the meeting, Eileen Lynch-Britt, the cofounder of the Charles County HOA and Civic Association Alliance, told Southern Maryland News about the struggles they have had with law enforcement due to signage.

Lynch-Britt said that they have provided the proper signage, only to have been told it is now unenforceable because the signs were not provided by the county.

On June 20, in another email, Hall reported another gathering in her neighborhood, saying, “nefarious and criminal behavior continued to escalate”

“Stonehaven residents were attacked multiple times yesterday with a late and minimal response in potentially dangerous situations,” Hall said. “Shortly after 4:30 p.m., illegal fireworks were fired, leading to a fire behind some homes. In this very dry heat, it spread quickly. One of the individuals involved was carrying a firearm and flashing [it at] homeowners while the others yelled obscenities at them.”

Later that night, over 30 young adults and teenagers allegedly gathered for an unsanctioned party at the community center parking lot and playground, Hall said. When officers arrived, they would not enforce the signage posted because it was not placed by the county, she said.

“After 15 minutes of debate, the officers said they would provide protection for me as I informed the group to leave,” Hall said. “While leaving, they set off fireworks and sped through the community, congregating at the same house that has been an issue for over a year and a half.”

The meeting ended with no action taken, other than a promise from the county commissioners that the sheriff’s office would protect the neighborhood.