Car Thefts Hit Close to Home, and the Fair Is 3 Weeks Away

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Car Thefts and Break-Ins Hit Close to Home

Early Monday morning, August 17, my car was stolen from my own neighborhood here in Damascus at 3am. Police were very helpful, and by that night the car had turned up, abandoned at a gas station in Wheaton. We still don't have it back, it needs an inspection and repairs first. A few neighbors on the street had their cars gone through the same night.

It turns out that same Monday, Montgomery County police arrested two people, a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old, after spotting them in a stolen car in Clarksburg, the tail end of what police called several weeks investigating a rise in crime there. Turns out Clarksburg and Damascus aren't just neighboring towns, they're literally the same police district: same commander, same station.

Zoomed out further, this isn't just a Damascus problem. Car theft is up 20% across Montgomery County this year, more than 1,500 reported so far. Police say a lot of it traces back to viral videos showing people how to defeat car locks and key fobs, and that over 90 juveniles have been arrested this year alone, some younger than 13.

If you want to do something about it: Montgomery County has a free program called MoCoConnect where you can register your home security camera with police in under a minute, no live access, no cost, just a map they can check if something happens nearby. You can also report anything suspicious to the 5th District's non-emergency line at 301-279-8000.

Mount Airy Rejects the Elite Baseball Sportsplex

The Mount Airy Town Council voted to reject annexing about 60 acres near Watersville Road that would have brought in a private Elite Baseball sports complex, fields, walking trails, a playground, and more. Neighbors on Watersville Road had been fighting the proposal since it first surfaced in mid-2025 over noise, traffic, and safety concerns, so this closes out a fight that's been going for over a year.

📆 UPCOMING EVENTS

Last Call: First Day of School Is Tuesday

MCPS's first day of school for 2026-27 is this Tuesday, August 25 (Transition Day for kindergarten, 6th, and 9th graders is Monday, August 24).

Mt. Airy Fire Co. Auxiliary Buffet Dinner, Sept. 4

Fried chicken and shrimp buffet fundraiser, 4-7pm, at the Mt. Airy Vol Fire Co. Reception Hall, 1008 Twin Arch Rd. Adults $18, kids 6-12 $8, 5 and under free, carryout $20.

Red Cross Blood Drive Reminder, Sept. 4

American Red Cross Blood Drive, Friday, September 4, at American Legion Post 171, 1201 Lewis Drive. All blood types needed, register at redcrossblood.org, Sponsor ID ALP171 Damascus.

The Damascus Community Fair Is About 3 Weeks Away

Mark your calendar: the fair returns September 11-13 for its 80th year.

Damascus Freedom 5K, Sept. 12

The Damascus Freedom 5K is Saturday, September 12, at Damascus Regional Park. Benefits Disabled American Veterans, Wounded Warrior Project, Fisher House, USO-Metro DC, and Hero Dogs. Kids' quarter-mile fun run is free.

The Damascus Little Free Pantry Still Needs Help

The pantry, at 11017 Locust Drive, is seeing extraordinary demand right now and could use restocking, non-perishables, hygiene items, anything shelf-stable.

❤️ SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Adom International Market Is Now Open

A new grocery store opened at 26437 Ridge Rd., Ste. 4, Damascus (near Domino's Pizza), selling African, Caribbean, Hispanic, Indian, and other international groceries.