Every now and then, we wonder how people serving in local government can be so out of touch with reality. To wit: the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Department of Parks and Recreation, which recently advertised an upcoming video production class for teenagers in Prince George’s County under the title “We Shoot Film, Not People.”

There have been more than 50 homicides in the county so far this year, including nearly one per day during the first two weeks of 2011. Many of the incidents have involved gun violence.

While the county is apologetic about the title, the individual running the program, film producer Marvin Fields, is less so, reports the Washington Times:

“I understand its controversial, but we need shock and awe. We need to get our kids’ attention,” Mr. Fields said. “This shows the kids a way to take aggression out artistically instead of with violence.”

The rec center where the seminar will be held, Oakcrest Community Center, is a short drive away from a site where two men were gunned down and killed on Memorial Day. But, sure, yeah, I bet the community could really stand to benefit from some more “shock and awe.”