[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6551892,"mediaKeyId","5322923-007e2700d3f32fe7ea46f73f7b43f215","parentId",5322923,"title","APD reports lower crime in Wards 5 and 7 in 2024, outlines summer crime plan and allied-agency deployments","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3752000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322923-007e2700d3f32fe7ea46f73f7b43f215&start=3752&end=3752","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322923-007e2700d3f32fe7ea46f73f7b43f215/thumbnail_3752000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551892/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/APD-reports-lower-crime-in-Wards-5-and-7-in-2024-outlines-summer-crime-plan-and-allied-agency-deployments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551892-1dc6c14d27c923579efd93df4426f834/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179494&Signature=Ue3C3rb6QP53g6HFgtgLtx7LlKfhjDDa4urKAqgO6VUi2pazgA~AZtYL-Px~i96szKGNZT24ztKLCeBiyMy4AHByAASWmUD8BsqBMRbE53nZQqmWaMi7phv3e56zbMr9vpR-myAUIuUXyLa5ahen82FQivufjU~koMz0MoUar6pYn7jfg077MVcnTufK16ZcYDJe36BXMmiMlSrrk~Y~Nhhqz2vuGFVNEH-y5GHaEoi5w~dumZPKBrrXjcx7eoHGTvvln-jq7oyy6ItebJo61s~sCajh2Ris~pgjDe1G3ch2Y-WQCed62XVJZNYZy1dcdAgbjHG26uRV73xXI-F56w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Annapolis, MD","date","2025-07-07T21:46:13Z","article","Annapolis Police Department leaders told the Public Safety Standing Committee that Wards 5 and 7 were in the lower half of the city's wards on several 2024 crime measures but described recent shooting incidents and an augmented summer crime plan that focuses patrols and allied-agency support on high-risk corridors.

An unnamed APD chief opened the presentation and said the department had to \"mitigate some recent violence\" and reported two critical shooting cases over a recent weekend; detectives have investigative leads but the chief cautioned against disclosing specifics that could harm investigations. \"One's critical and... could transition very quickly into a homicide investigation,\" the chief said.

Captains Lamar Howard and Guy Thacker provided ward-level crime breakdowns and described trends. Captain Howard said Ward 5 had no homicides in 2024, and did not record discharges or contact shootings in that ward; property thefts and domestic-related aggravated assaults were among the department's recurring challenges. Captain Thacker described Ward 7 as similarly lower-ranked for many categories but noted a 2024 homicide on Georgetown Road that remains under active investigation.

Summer crime plan and allied support: Captain Thacker described a data-driven summer deployment that concentrates additional patrols Thursday through Sunday and leverages allied resources. \"I've put in a request with Anne Arundel County to provide air support... focusing on the Forest Drive Corridor,\" he said. He also described cooperation with Maryland State Police and the county sheriff's office to bolster coverage and with property managers to address environmental safety measures such as lighting and cameras.

Internal affairs and accountability: Director Lakeisha Blue of APD's internal-affairs unit reported an increase in public complaints compared with 2024; the department is using iPRO/electronic case management and said year‑to‑date complaint counts stood at 27 as of early July. Blue said the majority of complaints to date are minor and that five compliments and one life-saving recognition were also submitted through the public portal.

ICE and federal enforcement: APD leaders addressed local questions about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the city, saying APD does not enforce federal immigration law and usually is not pre-notified of ICE operations. Captain Thacker and other leaders cited Maryland Attorney General guidance and said APD does not operate jointly with ICE; when federal warrants exist, the federal authorities execute them.

Why it matters: The report is meant to reassure neighborhoods that APD is deploying additional resources and coordinating with allied agencies after recent shootings, while also providing ward-level crime metrics that can inform resident expectations and partnership actions with property managers.

What was not decided: No new ordinances, funding or formal policy changes were enacted at the meeting. The department said it will continue to adjust deployments and follow up on requested community briefings on the summer crime plan.

Ending: APD leaders said they will continue monthly ward reporting, pursue partnerships with neighboring law-enforcement agencies and meet with property owners to address environmental-security issues; the department also plans public briefings on the summer crime plan.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Safety Committee Meeting July 7 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Annapolis Police Department told the Public Safety Committee that Wards 5 and 7 ranked in the lower half for several crime categories in 2024, described a Thursday–Sunday summer crime deployment, recent shootings under investigation, partnerships with county and state law enforcement and internal-affairs activity.","taxTitle","Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland","taxId",59348,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6551897,"OEM: Food distribution expanding and overdose outreach targeted to hot spots in Wards 5 and 7",852,2702000,3554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322923-007e2700d3f32fe7ea46f73f7b43f215&start=2702&end=3554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322923-007e2700d3f32fe7ea46f73f7b43f215/thumbnail_2702000.jpg","/articles/6551897/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/OEM-Food-distribution-expanding-and-overdose-outreach-targeted-to-hot-spots-in-Wards-5-and-7","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551897-79e41592bd974a4739b60b86ba4ed30f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179494&Signature=UFgODMe~gXQOkoewBRxqriz~AB2si6g7LrN~vOQ55dT9pI4ZW-ZPvgdUinYJIp-~~4rN6me-yneb9PpqL2n9ewbIqyAUnkaD19dKpoBCIKV9mqgUI~oQuJF7RE8LPHWdQpiK6rkXfV42~ehWL26q2h2re~qyj9VD3AjL2oukLrLHZJV4dlDQhrCnyR~7g4vx5va~WbkH~Ki3IpNIzpio1z9hTDIuwGzwwuzCiCGXKdzcdVaZEX0bAGKZuGiOD~xZOfDwcAx~cOIFhwqEd1QhUXLtJtNuu2SXSwhZdteUa2D6vNS6GOAHPSYrbaBmvGjbCCPkeg~IuVUYKz2CIqYL4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kevin Simmons, emergency manager for the City of Annapolis, told the committee the city's Food Friday program distributes roughly 300 boxes per week and supports about 890 residents experiencing food insecurity; staffing and location adjustments have been made for the summer.

\"We distribute approximately about 300 boxes of food every week to support 890 Annapolitans facing food insecurity,\" Simmons said, adding the program temporarily moved distribution to Eastport Firehouse during summer programming.

Simmons gave ward-level summaries for substance-use overdoses in 2024. He said Wards 5 and 7 each had two documented overdoses in 2024, figures he described as \"tied for the lowest\" since the city began systematic recording in 2015. He cautioned those are documented cases and that unreported incidents are possible.

The emergency manager described how the city uses overdoses mapped by location to target outreach. \"We log with this heat map in red all the 2023 overdoses... and then we flood those areas with outreach,\" Simmons said, describing coordinated response with NAM and the health department when spikes occur.

On heat response, Simmons summarized the city's Heat Emergency Action Plan and said cooling centers open for multi-day high-heat events. He said the city opened centers twice this season and planned to open them again when the heat index approached 105 (or earlier for consecutive high‑temperature days). \"We have cooling centers... Pitt Moyer, the senior center, and the American Legion,\" he said, noting the library was temporarily without air conditioning.

Why it matters: The Food Friday program and targeted overdose outreach affect vulnerable residents, including seniors and children in Wards 5 and 7. Simmons provided breakdowns showing Ward 7 has a higher share of the program's recipients this summer; he also said the city is coordinating with local pantries to avoid duplication of effort.

What was not decided: No new funding or formal policy change was adopted at the meeting. Simmons said staff are working to coordinate partners and will continue outreach planning.

Ending: The OEM will continue weekly food distributions, coordinate overdose outreach in hot-spot areas and activate cooling centers during extreme heat; Simmons encouraged participation in strategic outreach and use of public surveys and partnerships with community pantries.

","Annapolis Office of Emergency Management reported weekly Food Friday distributions, neighborhood overdose statistics for 2024, and plans for cooling centers during heat events.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6551902,"Annapolis Fire Chief: Department meeting response times but remains below national staffing standards",1405,223000,1628000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5322923-007e2700d3f32fe7ea46f73f7b43f215&start=223&end=1628","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5322923-007e2700d3f32fe7ea46f73f7b43f215/thumbnail_223000.jpg","/articles/6551902/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Annapolis-Fire-Chief-Department-meeting-response-times-but-remains-below-national-staffing-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551902-eefe41f3d3e61df7a8025c135b03b331/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179494&Signature=Bv~xJOXYC7gXmQgcpK9wdZLor4ESJus0SLnHhc4igM9etmYN5FKzE6RLlOXDGs~cejXi2tpbpbHtaSDM2En9uTawyI0VzS2B~r-B-DdTrJ7SGS9xCPaebWSIgK~FmQX6o6QgHkJO5qEXcKQt8r11Bpw0dd0808yKb-HkfX3FUQj4bWKFhvg5JgUgO-m~iwV~TATBLP76YLD7yCbAH3q8egr9S-c~qqraSxO3o-sHOIascYI9vZfumfjpnLVj67M1rjm36FV4QSWbXTMBnjZuazV~nUnFnyELqFqa6vUX3Cu~yDalezPpmBYZghaHGmwJO9sa2X7f3Z-G8HUeqUwgLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire Chief O'Malley told the Annapolis Public Safety Standing Committee on July that the department responded to 1,198 calls in June, including 871 EMS calls and 291 fire-related calls, and is meeting or exceeding national response-time standards but remains below national staffing recommendations.

\"We are responding to every call for service,\" O'Malley said, adding the department continues to meet response-time goals even though it lacks the national standard staffing level for suppression crews. \"We do not meet the national standard when it comes to staffing levels. That national standard suggests 4 persons for an engine company, 4 persons for a truck company.\"

The chief and Deputy Chief Keith Lopez described staffing as the core budget issue. O'Malley said the department asked the mayor and council for 10 positions during the current budget process — an enhancement the chief said would have cost \"over a million dollars\" — and said the department would ultimately need an additional 25 to 30 personnel to reach recommended suppression staffing. \"To get to where we need to be ultimately, we would need an additional 25 to 30 people. So we're talking at least $3,000,000 increase to the budget,\" he said.

Why it matters: The staffing shortfall affects how many suppression personnel are available at structure fires and how the department relies on mutual aid. O'Malley described how mutual-aid agreements with Anne Arundel County and the U.S. Naval Academy are used to assemble adequate resources for large incidents. \"We cannot handle an incident by ourselves when it comes to a structure fire,\" he said.

Grants, billing and incremental hiring discussed: O'Malley reviewed past SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant attempts and said new funding rounds require a municipal match. He described the current SAFER-style match schedule discussed with the department: the federal share would cover most costs initially but the city would be required to increase its share over time (the chief said roughly 25% city match in the first two years, about 65% in the third year and full responsibility by the fourth year). He also noted the department expects some EMS-billing revenue could offset part of a peak-time medic unit's cost.

Strategic plan and recruiting pilot: Deputy Chief Keith Lopez said the department has hired a third-party consultant, the Center for Public Safety Excellence, to complete a strategic planning process that will include external focus groups and a public survey. The consultant will host public sessions at Eastport Firehouse in mid-July, and the department expects a draft strategic plan in September for internal review and an October presentation to council.

O'Malley also described a new paid internship partnership with the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute and the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation (DSCI), through which the city would host a cohort of 10 paid interns who could earn national certifications and a $6,000 completion bonus from the state. \"We are planning on bringing in 10 interns to put them through actually a fire school,\" the chief said, and added the interns would be paid at minimum wage and qualify for national training and certifications. He said the city would work with partner jurisdictions to place graduates if the city had no immediate openings.

What was not decided: No formal funding action was taken at the meeting. O'Malley and councilmembers discussed phased hiring and returning to the council if additional local funds are needed.

Ending: The department asked the committee to continue dialogue about creative, phased funding approaches and said it will continue outreach during the strategic-plan process and on grant opportunities.

","Fire Chief O'Malley told the Public Safety Committee the department met or exceeded NFPA response-time standards in June but lacks the personnel to meet the four-person engine/truck standard; the department is pursuing grants, a strategic plan and a 10-person internship pilot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

APD reports lower crime in Wards 5 and 7 in 2024, outlines summer crime plan and allied-agency deployments

OEM: Food distribution expanding and overdose outreach targeted to hot spots in Wards 5 and 7

Annapolis Fire Chief: Department meeting response times but remains below national staffing standards