Administrators of the City of Takoma Park have paid attention to public safety since B. F. Gilbert first incorporated the City, in 1890. Their concerns for the citizens have continually evolved, as the demands have changed.

« City of Takoma Park

Takoma Park, Maryland is a town of approximately two square miles, situated directly above the central corner of Washington DC. The city was founded in 1883 by developer B. F. Gilbert, who also served as the first mayor. Gilbert named the city using the Northwestern Native American word Takoma, which reputedly means "high up near heaven."

When Gilbert established Takoma Park, he included land in Montgomery County, Prince George's County and even the District of Columbia. Eventually the District claimed jurisdiction over the neighborhood now known as Takoma DC (located at the Takoma Metro stop). But Takoma Park remained divided between Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, a fact that created increasing problems as each county grew in size and strength. Takoma Park police had to be familiar with the laws covering both counties and follow cases in the court systems of both counties. In the 1980s, Takoma Park residents began to push for unification. Finally, in 1995 Takoma Park was granted unification by the Maryland legislature. In 1997, the section of Takoma Park in Prince George's County joined Montgomery County.

A mayor and six-member council govern Takoma Park. A city administrator manages it. Takoma Park maintains a full service police department. It also has several parks and recreation centers, an extensive recycling program, a municipal library, a tool-lending library, and landlord-tenant services. Takoma Park is an official "Tree City, USA," well designated for the many remaining trees and its tough tree ordinance. It is also widely known as Azalea City because of the many breeds introduced in the mid-20th century by horticulturist B.Y. Morrison. Takoma Park is a nuclear free zone, has an award-winning recycling program, and supports the work of historic preservation groups. Residents who are not yet U.S. citizens may vote in local elections and hold local elective office.

According to the 1990 census, the population of Takoma Park is 16,700. These citizens are unusually diverse in age, ethnicity, language, economic condition, and length of residence. The city population is broken down into the following ethnic categories: 9,200 White residents, 6013 Black residents, 1,619 Hispanic residents, 717 Asian residents, 61 American Indian residents, and 709 "Other." Twenty-one percent of the residents said that they were born outside the United States, with the majority coming from Central America.

The per capita income in Takoma Park is $17,942 with a household median income of $37,144. 3,924 households (nearly 60%) rent, while 2,898 own their own homes.

Because of its location, Takoma Park serves as a gateway for Montgomery County. Carroll Street in the District of Columbia becomes Carroll Avenue as motorists enter Old Town, the turn-of-the-century marketplace that serves as Takoma Park's downtown area. Likewise, Motorists traveling north on New Hampshire Avenue enter Takoma Park¾ and, hence, Montgomery County¾ as they cross Eastern Avenue. University Boulevard and East-West Highway (Route 410) are two of the main thoroughfares into Montgomery County from Prince George's County. Takoma Park is the first Montgomery County city that travelers encounter.

The border areas of Takoma Park provide unique challenges. Evidence has shown, for instance, that proximity to borders makes Takoma Park and neighboring areas prime targets for criminals because they can quickly move to other jurisdictions.

Border areas provide unique challenges for Takoma Park police officers. For example, in Langley Park, at the intersection of University Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue, two corners are patrolled by Takoma Park police officers. Montgomery County patrols the corner on the northwest; Prince George's patrols the corner on the northeast. Several other border areas require similar coordination, such as at the corner of Piney Branch Road and Flower Avenue is another border area that requires coordinated police efforts (Takoma Park / Montgomery County).