Author: Fazlul Kabir Page 1 of 596

After nearly six days of uncertainty, anxious waiting, and an extensive search, the College Park community received the wonderful news Wednesday evening, October 7: 22-year-old University of Maryland student Dilan Shaan Ashar has been found safe and reunited with his family.

For Dilan’s family, friends, fellow students, and the many residents who followed his disappearance, the announcement brought tremendous relief after days of growing concern.

The University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD) confirmed the news Wednesday night in a message from University President Darryll Pines and Police Chief David Mitchell, thanking the university community and everyone who helped spread the word during the search.

A Disappearance That Worried the Entire Community

Dilan was last seen on surveillance footage around 2:30 a.m. on Friday, October 2, at the Terrapin Trail Parking Garage on the University of Maryland campus. He had left his residence approximately 30 minutes earlier, without his cellphone, wallet, or identification.

When his parents could not locate him, they contacted police, setting off an extensive search involving UMD Police, Prince George’s County Police, search-and-rescue personnel, and community volunteers.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage, deployed drones, used specially trained search dogs, and searched approximately 110 acres around the parking garage and surrounding wooded areas. Nearly 50 personnel and nine search dogs participated in a major search operation.

As the days passed, Dilan’s family made an emotional public appeal for help. Students and community members distributed missing-person flyers, shared information on social media, and kept the family in their thoughts.

Then, on Wednesday evening, came the news everyone had been hoping to hear: Dilan was alive and back with his family.

How Dilan Was Found: New Details From Thursday’s News Conference

At a news conference on Thursday, October 8, UMD Police Chief David Mitchell provided new details about Dilan’s remarkable return.

According to Mitchell, Dilan emerged from a wooded area near the Xfinity Center at approximately 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, approached a Howard County Search and Rescue vehicle, and knocked on the driver’s-side window.

He asked the rescuers a simple question:

“Are you looking for me?”

Those few words brought an extraordinary end to the nearly weeklong search.

Police said Dilan appeared dehydrated, disoriented, extremely hungry, and frightened. Emergency personnel immediately provided medical assistance before transporting him to a hospital for further care. He was subsequently reunited with his family.

Many Questions Remain Unanswered

During Thursday’s news conference, Chief Mitchell explained that investigators believe Dilan may have been moving through wooded areas during his disappearance, which could explain why earlier searches did not locate him.

Although Dilan indicated that he had been in the woods and identified some familiar landmarks, investigators had not yet conducted a full interview with him. As of Thursday, he remained under medical care.

Police have not established exactly where he spent the six days or what circumstances led to his disappearance. For now, his recovery and well-being are the immediate priorities.

A Family’s Gratitude and a Community’s Relief

One of the most touching moments of Thursday’s news conference came when UMD Vice President for Student Affairs Patricia Perillo shared a statement from Dilan’s family.

The family expressed heartfelt gratitude to the police, university leadership, students, and everyone who supported the search. They offered special thanks to students who distributed flyers throughout campus and the surrounding community.

UMD President Darryll Pines also announced his support for a student-led effort to put up a campus welcome sign celebrating Dilan’s return.

The message will read: “Welcome home, Dilan.”

For those of us who call College Park home, this incident is a powerful reminder of how deeply connected our university and surrounding neighborhoods are. When a student goes missing, the concern extends beyond campus boundaries. Our entire community shares in the family’s worry and hope.

I want to sincerely thank the University of Maryland Police Department, Prince George’s County Police, Howard County Search and Rescue, all the first responders, students, volunteers, and residents who worked tirelessly, shared information, and helped keep attention focused on finding Dilan.

Most importantly, our thoughts remain with Dilan and his family as he recovers from this frightening experience. They deserve time, privacy, and support as they move forward.

Welcome home, Dilan. College Park is grateful that you are safe.

The University of Maryland Police Department is continuing its search for 22-year-old UMD student Dilan Shaan Ashar, who has been missing since early Friday morning, October 2. Dilan was last seen on surveillance video at approximately 2:30 a.m. near the Terrapin Trail Garage on the University of Maryland campus. He was wearing a black University of Maryland hooded sweatshirt, grey sweatpants, and white shoes. His family says he is without his cell phone, wallet, or identification. 

UMPD has released additional details about the extensive search. Police used drones and K-9 teams to search wooded areas around Terrapin Trail Garage, and on October 4, nearly 50 first responders and nine dogs searched approximately 110 acres. Officers have also repeatedly checked parking garages, wooded areas, Lake Artemesia, nearby parks, and the university golf course. Unfortunately, those searches have not yet located Dilan. 

Police are now asking everyone in the College Park community to help. Residents who have doorbell or home security cameras, as well as drivers whose vehicles record video, are encouraged to review footage from the early morning hours of October 2. Local businesses are also being asked to check their surveillance cameras and display Dilan’s missing-person information. Anyone who was near Terrapin Trail Garage that morning and remembers seeing someone matching Dilan’s description should contact police. 

For Dilan’s family, every passing hour is an agonizing wait. Our community can help by keeping our eyes open, sharing his photograph and information widely, and taking a few minutes to check any available camera footage. Even a detail that may seem insignificant could provide investigators with the clue they need to bring Dilan home.

Anyone with information is asked to contact UMD Police at 301-405-3555. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through UMPD’s online tip form. 

Please keep Dilan and his family in your thoughts, share this information, and help us bring him home safely.

Read the full UMPD investigative update⁠

At tonight’s meeting, the College Park City Council will consider approving a stop sign on Marlbrough Court at its intersection with Marlbrough Way in College Park Woods. The proposed installation would clarify right-of-way and help drivers navigate the neighborhood intersection more safely.

The recommendation follows a staff investigation prompted by a request to evaluate whether a stop sign was warranted. Marlbrough Court ends at Marlbrough Way, forming a T-intersection. Both streets carry two-way residential traffic, allow parking on both sides, and have no sidewalks.

Staff examined visibility, traffic volumes and speeds, pedestrian activity, roadway slopes, on-street parking, and crash history. According to the staff report, Maryland State Police data showed no reported crashes at this location from 2019 through the period reviewed. Observed traffic volumes were consistent with the neighborhood’s residential character, and observed vehicle speeds complied with posted limits.

Staff nevertheless recommends a stop sign to make the right-of-way requirement clearer. Drivers approaching from Marlbrough Court must yield to traffic on Marlbrough Way because their roadway ends at the intersection. A stop sign and pavement stop bar would reinforce that responsibility and reduce confusion.

Under agenda item 26-G-97, the Council will consider authorizing the Department of Public Works to install the sign. The item is on the consent agenda, although a Councilmember may request separate consideration. The estimated installation cost is $772.44, covering the sign pole, stop sign, and stop bar.

Residents can follow the discussion tonight, Tuesday, October 6, at 7:30 p.m., in the second-floor Council Chambers at City Hall, 7401 Baltimore Avenue, or through Zoom. Written comments may be submitted to cpmc@collegeparkmd.gov by 5 p.m. today.

A proposed sidewalk along Branchville Road and 51st Avenue would help close an important gap in College Park’s pedestrian network, providing a more connected walking route toward the Greenbelt Metro Station.

At its Tuesday, October 6 meeting, the City Council will consider approving a $129,410 engineering design contract with Charles P. Johnson and Associates. The project would connect University Boulevard with the recently completed sidewalk along 52nd Avenue, helping complete the pedestrian route between University Boulevard and the Metro station.

A Longstanding Sidewalk Priority

The City identified this corridor as a priority through its 2018 sidewalk assessment, which evaluated projects supporting College Park’s Complete and Green Streets initiatives. Filling this gap would make it easier for residents to walk through the neighborhood and reach public transportation.

The proposed sidewalk would be approximately five feet wide. Its final alignment would be developed with community input, allowing residents to help shape the project as engineering work moves forward.

What the Design Contract Would Cover

The proposed contract includes surveying, evaluating sidewalk alternatives, reviewing utility and right-of-way impacts, preparing drainage plans, and developing construction documents and cost estimates.

It also includes two community meetings and up to two Council presentations, providing opportunities for residents and elected officials to review the design.

The City received proposals from three engineering consultants. Charles P. Johnson and Associates submitted the lowest proposed cost, and staff recommends approving its task order.

Funding and Next Steps

The $129,410 design contract would be funded through the City’s FY2027 Complete and Green Streets capital improvement budget. Approval would advance the engineering phase; it would not authorize sidewalk construction.

Staff anticipates approximately one year for design and permitting. However, the consultant’s proposal excludes permit applications, permit fees, construction administration, and certain other services, which could require separate authorization. Construction costs and a construction schedule would be determined as the project develops.

Residents are welcome to follow the discussion at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, in the second-floor Council Chambers at City Hall, 7401 Baltimore Avenue, or through Zoom. Written comments may be sent to cpmc@collegeparkmd.gov by 5 p.m. on the meeting day.

🎉✈️ Tomorrow is College Park Day! Join us Saturday, October 3, from 12–6 PM at the College Park Aviation Museum & Airport, 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD 20740, for the City’s biggest celebration of the year! Enjoy family activities, inflatables, carnival games, wandering performers, UMD Gymkana, a helicopter fly-in, Artist Alley, food and drink vendors, live entertainment, and FREE admission to the Aviation Museum. Admission to the festival is also FREE! (College Park Day)

🚗 Getting there is easy: Free parking and free shuttle service will be available from the Regents Drive Parking Garage, College Park City Hall Parking Garage, and College Park-UMD Metro Station, with shuttles running from 12:00–6:45 PM. Limited free parking will also be available near Corporal Frank Scott Drive and Lehigh Road and at Wells Ice Rink/Linson Pool. Accessible parking will be available onsite. You can also take the Green Line to the College Park-UMD Metro Station and walk about four blocks, or bike to the event using nearby trails and onsite bike racks. (College Park Day)

Bring your family, friends, and neighbors and come celebrate everything that makes our College Park community so special. ❤️ I hope to see you tomorrow at College Park Day!

I had a great time yesterday meeting with a wonderful group of UMD students from the CPCV225: Introduction to Civic Engagement & Social Good class at College Park City Hall. We talked about why civic engagement matters, how students can get more involved in the College Park community, and some of the challenges and opportunities our city is facing. I really enjoyed hearing their questions and perspectives. It’s always encouraging to see students interested in learning more about the community beyond campus and thinking about how they can make a positive difference.

WSSC Water is asking College Park residents and other customers across Prince George’s and Montgomery counties to continue using water only for essential purposes as the regional water system recovers from Tuesday’s major power disruption at the Potomac Water Filtration Plant.

The good news is that the Potomac plant is back in operation and reached full water-production capacity at approximately 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The facility supplies roughly 70–75% of WSSC Water’s system. However, water storage levels dropped to critically low levels during the outage and need time to recover, so the Essential Water Use Only request remains in effect. (Greenbelt, MD)

According to WSSC Water, the problem resulted from an infrastructure and electrical failure, and there is currently no indication that malicious activity was involved. Although production has resumed, the system is still being replenished and stabilized. (Greenbelt, MD)

Importantly, the water remains safe to drink and use, and there is currently no Boil Water Advisory. (City of College Park)

Residents Are Asked to Continue Conserving Water

Until WSSC lifts the request, residents are encouraged to:

● Take shorter showers and turn faucets off promptly.

● Avoid outdoor water use, including watering lawns and gardens or washing vehicles.

● Limit toilet flushing when possible.

● Postpone or limit laundry and dishwasher use.

● Avoid other nonessential, high-volume water use.

Conserving water will help replenish storage tanks, maintain adequate water pressure and ensure sufficient water remains available for fire protection and other essential needs. (WSSC Water)

WSSC plans to monitor water levels and system conditions overnight and through this morning’s peak-demand period before deciding whether the conservation request can be lifted. Another update is expected later Wednesday morning. 

Update: Essential Water Use Request Lifted

Update — 5:00 p.m.: WSSC Water has lifted the essential-water-use-only request for all 1.9 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

WSSC reports that the Potomac Water Filtration Plant is producing enough water to meet demand, system storage levels have returned to normal, and power delivery to the plant is stable and adequate.

The plant is still operating under a temporary internal electrical configuration while WSSC crews work on a permanent power solution to ensure reliable long-term operations. WSSC Water’s Emergency Operations Center will remain fully activated as crews continue monitoring the system and completing the necessary repairs.

Residents may now resume normal water use.

Families looking for a preschool program in the College Park area may be interested in newly available openings at the University of Maryland Child Development Center.

The Center, located just south of the University of Maryland’s College Park campus and operated in partnership with Bright Horizons, currently has 12 preschool spots available for children ages 3–4. Enrollment is open to College Park residents, UMD employees and students, and other community members.

The Center’s experienced teachers provide hands-on learning experiences designed around each child’s interests and stage of development. Through play, exploration, collaboration, and creative activities, the program aims to help children develop into compassionate collaborators, creative thinkers, and confident innovators.

For College Park families searching for quality early childhood education close to home, this may be a great opportunity to explore.

To learn more, schedule a visit, or take a virtual tour, visit www.brighthorizons.com/UMD.

A research team from the University of Maryland is looking for College Park residents to participate in a focus group about how Spanish-speaking immigrants in our community consume news and information.

A member of the research team recently shared the recruitment information with me and asked for help reaching local residents who may be interested in participating. The project is supported by UMD’s Do Good Campus Fund and is focused on better understanding where Spanish-speaking immigrant residents get their news, what types of information they rely on, and how they engage with different sources of information.

The researchers are inviting eligible residents to take part in a focus group interview and share their experiences and perspectives. Studies like this can help researchers better understand how information reaches different parts of our community and where there may be opportunities to improve communication and access.

Those interested in learning more or participating can visit:

https://go.umd.edu/2f5z

According to the research team, participants will need to log in with a Gmail account to access the form.

If you are a Spanish-speaking immigrant living in College Park—or know someone who may be interested—please consider sharing this opportunity with them.