US Army South Fort Hood

US Army South Fort Hood Municipal Water Report Info

The Town of University Park was incorporated in 1936 and expanded throughout the 1940s and 1950s. During its early years, the community proudly maintained a crime-free status—not even recording traffic violations. As population growth continued, crime eventually emerged as an unavoidable challenge.

Initially, police services were handled by county law enforcement or town councilmen who served as honorary deputy sheriffs, acting as the primary guardians of community safety. During this period, violators could attend hearings at the Prince George's County Service Building in Hyattsville on the first and third Monday evenings at 7 p.m.

The town's first special police officers were employed in the mid-1950s specifically for Halloween patrol from 7-10 p.m. to prevent vandalism. This practice of hiring four seasonal officers continued for several years. In 1956, the Council distributed a community questionnaire seeking approval for ordinances regarding unleashed dogs and establishing a police force. Records don't show the poll results, but the dog ordinance was defeated at a council session, which consequently prevented the police force ordinance from advancing.

In 1962-63, the city hired part-time special officers to address issues stemming from the newly constructed Northwestern High School adjacent to the city on Adelphi Road. The school featured the county's only lighted football field, resulting in evening games that brought traffic, parking problems, teenage crowds, and noise that frequently extended into Town streets and residential areas.