[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6567136,"mediaKeyId","3194610-0dc2688290215ccfb071588d3f7d2df6","parentId",3194610,"title","Annapolis OEM outlines Food Friday distribution and overdose prevention funding, cites fall in Ward 3 overdoses","audioSeconds",900,"startMs",5580000,"endMs",6480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194610-0dc2688290215ccfb071588d3f7d2df6&start=5580&end=6480","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194610-0dc2688290215ccfb071588d3f7d2df6/thumbnail_5580000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6567136/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Annapolis-OEM-outlines-Food-Friday-distribution-and-overdose-prevention-funding-cites-fall-in-Ward-3-overdoses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567136-927f4489d56acf935b340c66cb0441d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159790&Signature=NaU6zUb1KhjQqDMbKJ9rcWTbSqbEjxDvIdDFNc-5Rz~mrPpu1fiw~PnPQhAsd57kWI909nAwnIsWKrDhzrf~bIub3nC2VaqlEPAy3Zw9vEMmEhDOVfX7knSuF866VgtEEhl474sRd~Tz3IZ5ToPCddskCZMDzv0iXrzxN8OP5dV7-y4EL8VYJyMaKfe3lzcRakvc81VXUmtaAPQPhdl2VApx9SPEtnyPE29XFPo6IWreU33ctMZM9HkvG8BaAi1Xg0Ec0~x7mf-mivdg2-AIMTdXMKr9bSXUgp3a485azuT4kbN1cftMekAvcKBQZpiUmfRi7KWLonshmKU1tfXRqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Annapolis, MD","date","2025-05-06T12:37:38Z","article","Kevin Simmons, director of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), briefed the Public Safety Standing Committee on May 5 about neighborhood food distribution and the city’s overdose prevention efforts in Ward 3.

Food distribution: Simmons said the Food Friday program distributes about 300 boxes of food each week to food‑insecure residents across Annapolis, and OEM recently partnered with First Baptist on West Washington Street to improve distribution efficiency. Ward 3 Food Friday figures he reported include 41 families served (28 individuals, 21 seniors and 41 children stated on the slide), with Bowman Drive among the locations receiving the most deliveries.

Overdose prevention and data: Simmons told the committee that Ward 3 had 18 overdoses in 2024 — “the tide for the second lowest since we've been keeping record in 2015” — and that the ward reported two fatal overdoses that year. He said Narcan use in Ward 3 was about 83%, which he described as evidence the training and distribution program is working. Simmons noted time‑of‑day and day‑of‑week trends: many overdoses occurred Friday evenings between 6 p.m. and midnight.

Funding and programs: Simmons explained funding sources for the city’s opioid response: opioid restitution funds received by the city and a health department block grant. He outlined program expenditures as presented: NAM (program supplies, contract services and one staff) at a little over $50,000; the fire department’s “Your Life Matters” overtime and supplies at about $37,000; the Annapolis Police Department substance‑use program at about $29,000 (mostly overtime and civilian staff costs); and the OD Free umbrella program managed by OEM at about $35,000 from the health department block grant for contracts, staffing and training.

Shelter and harm‑reduction notes: Simmons and committee members raised the Lighthouse shelter’s leadership instability as a complicating factor in outreach there. Simmons said the city identified the Lighthouse as a priority location for harm reduction initiatives, such as vending machines for supplies, but said implementation required funding and operational decisions.

Next steps: Simmons said OEM will continue targeted outreach in overdose hotspots, coordinate with police and fire opioid prevention liaisons, and provide the committee with program reports. He directed interested council members to the OD Free annual report on annapolis.gov/odfree for more detail.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Safety Committee May 5 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Kevin Simmons of the Office of Emergency Management reported Food Friday distribution details, ward‑level overdose statistics showing a decline, Narcan usage, and how opioid restitution funds and a health department block grant support local programs.","taxTitle","Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland","taxId",59348,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567141,"Annapolis Fire Department reports steady call volume, new engine on track and strategic planning underway",270,4920000,5190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194610-0dc2688290215ccfb071588d3f7d2df6&start=4920&end=5190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194610-0dc2688290215ccfb071588d3f7d2df6/thumbnail_4920000.jpg","/articles/6567141/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Annapolis-Fire-Department-reports-steady-call-volume-new-engine-on-track-and-strategic-planning-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567141-0e44388fa86945d67f0e1f02ff864284/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159790&Signature=hxZJyW97mBBHExPi-0KpoEHVBsaYbGAe-52HBbpJPqXFwhmo-B-zrhHpPgMuaIBV4SMkaon2lOZjnspAU--eCuajrpSlsucwdxYvdnAK7H4C0TteEEo3sS2eHfGHQttx~WA6r7xErdPbpdqkrcE4qRGyjULF2NqcMBqYKRMFw4M4LdurPf9j70BETYmRvkL8--iPStKwqXLW9fWSq9a4~BImZBN7aBVo11~kvQLGfIWUROdhUlLK9W~vH0wsrNKnpZvtGtbSao1H0-NySOPw-ktvI~Pug~hTwMZy11QQ17aUS0TEcVQ4pQWqPV8jr8bAXsJDgylV5F4jDrCPJ-YLug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire Chief Doug O’Malley briefed the Public Safety Standing Committee on May 5 on the Annapolis Fire Department’s recent operations, training and equipment plans, reporting April call volume, training pipeline impacts and progress on a strategic plan.

O’Malley said the department responded to 1,028 calls in April; about 75% were emergency medical service calls and 23% were fire calls. He noted several members are in long‑term training: “Those individuals will be out of the field for anywhere between 7 months to 18 months,” which temporarily affects daily operations.

The chief reviewed a working residential structure fire in the historic district that crews contained with mutual aid from Anne Arundel County and the Naval Academy. He said early notification played a role in limiting damage.

Equipment and staffing: O’Malley reported a new fire engine ordered nearly three years ago completed final inspection in Wisconsin and is expected to be in the city by late May with plans to place it in service at the Forest Drive station by July. Deputy Chief Lopez summarized the department’s strategic plan process, saying the department is using the Center for Public Safety Excellence model, has an internal community committee, and expects to launch external stakeholder surveys and focus groups in June with a draft due to the chief in September.

Health and workforce initiatives: O’Malley highlighted a state grant in partnership with Annapolis Professional Firefighters Local 1926 to screen firefighters for occupational cancer and said most of the department participated in the screening. “Cancer is becoming the number one cause of deaths for our first line firefighters,” he told the committee, and said the department will continue screenings and related health programs.

What’s next: The department will continue recruitment for lateral paramedic positions and said recently opened job announcements target certified firefighter‑paramedics to reduce training time. The strategic plan schedule anticipates stakeholder engagement in the summer and a draft for chief review in September.","Fire Chief Doug O'Malley updated the committee on April response counts, training absences for recruits, a structure fire response, a new engine expected in July and a department strategic plan that will be drafted this year.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6567145,"Annapolis police roll out data-driven summer crime plan for Ward 3",1740,1980000,3720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194610-0dc2688290215ccfb071588d3f7d2df6&start=1980&end=3720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194610-0dc2688290215ccfb071588d3f7d2df6/thumbnail_1980000.jpg","/articles/6567145/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Annapolis-police-roll-out-data-driven-summer-crime-plan-for-Ward-3","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567145-ecf9b25e0b30598d8e5c377435d599f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159790&Signature=eNbhuPMf0j4hwHLW~ukwEfnZs8yTz7PuuJRe1dbETQseqcmQGJRKVvFWlh2vyWq39R2Xrm3idNQJKE8OFLTD16Zq8Tt9hvcYw~zIO3KEglDks5veDbnAnc3fvXCCNuEfy18t8kvkuygATt~yHykzqY5mtJA0mXWG1KBc6mvEBgfIIsFmf~rLehXYA6gGvhmByBSV9IxmLjMbssCL8cOtywic1MYZ~mXumTCe2rtkq-q8lINrxCo2T2ADkDRWCIlOpP5nN8ZrH3eY7NMWkK3mvLSLCWHnALJfCrWxbGCPRADa5D2dtahcBxdew3mQce0vfv6Ui2Nye3T7gnE0mb-UWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Annapolis Police Chief Cortland Jackson told the Public Safety Standing Committee on May 5 that the department is launching a data‑driven summer crime plan that will deploy resources across all eight wards and concentrate specific measures in Ward 3, including plain‑clothes targeted enforcement teams and frequent community engagement.

Jackson said the plan will “be data driven” and emphasized both visibility and community outreach: “We want to have [crime prevention initiatives] every couple of weeks ... to make sure that the residents get a sense of presence from the Annapolis Police Department.” He said the city will continue the effort “until we get a sense and the residents get a sense that things are okay.”

Why it matters: Committee members and police described Ward 3 as having high rates of property crime concentrated along the West Street corridor and near Safeway and Kohl’s, and they framed the plan as a mix of enforcement, evidence review and public information so residents and businesses can take preventive steps.

What police reported: Jackson gave ward-level numbers and priorities. For the period covering the last fiscal year through the present, he reported two homicides (one in 2024 and one in 2025), and that Ward 3 ranked high across categories of violent and property crimes. Captain Thacker told the committee that in the 2024 data for Ward 3, “78% was property crime, 21% person or violent crime.” The department provided example counts: 31 aggravated assaults in Ward 3 (19 described as domestic), 58 shoplifting incidents, 18 motor vehicle thefts and multiple burglaries. Jackson said of motor vehicle thefts: “8 were unlocked, and they were recovered. 10 were locked and recovered. 1 was locked and not recovered, and 1 was unlocked and not recovered.”

Enforcement and community measures: The plan combines an intelligence‑based approach, special enforcement action teams (plain clothes SEAT officers), regular patrol and targeted traffic enforcement. Jackson described the SEAT units as plain‑clothes officers “who are highly trained, who are going to know what to look for” and said they will pursue outstanding warrants and use video evidence to identify suspects. When Alderman Gay asked for reassurance the plain‑clothes effort would operate within constitutional limits, Jackson said the deployments are “targeted enforcement, constitutionally based” and that officers will articulate “the building blocks of probable cause” when stops or arrests are made.

Business coordination and outreach: Police and council members said the West Street corridor — particularly Safeway and Kohl’s — account for a significant cluster of incidents. Captain Thacker said store loss prevention officers are active and that the department intends to meet store managers. Jackson and Thacker also pressed for a sustained public information campaign about theft prevention — repeating messages such as “lock your car” and “don’t leave valuables in plain view.” Jackson said he had asked his deputy chief to oversee the messaging and report back to the department and council.

Accountability and follow‑up: Jackson said detectives remain actively investigating unsolved homicides; he asked the public to provide tips. He also requested council follow‑up on the University of Maryland workload study for the department and said he will brief the committee further after reviewing the study.

Procedural actions: At the start of the meeting Alderman Gay moved to approve the amended agenda; the motion was seconded and approved. At the end of the meeting Alderman Gay moved to adjourn; that motion was seconded and approved.

What’s next: Police said they will review outcomes every 30 days and adjust deployments. Jackson invited aldermen to ride along to see operations in the field and said the department will share more detailed plans privately to avoid revealing tactical information.","Police described a summer crime plan focused on Ward 3 that combines plain‑clothes targeted enforcement, community outreach and business coordination after officers reported concentrated property crimes on the West Street corridor.","actionData","errors"]

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Annapolis OEM outlines Food Friday distribution and overdose prevention funding, cites fall in Ward 3 overdoses

Annapolis Fire Department reports steady call volume, new engine on track and strategic planning underway

Annapolis police roll out data-driven summer crime plan for Ward 3