Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Annapolis Police: overall crime down 8% year-to-date; shootings up and a cross‑jurisdictional group blamed for some violence
Summary
Annapolis Police Department officials told the Public Safety Committee overall crime is down 8% so far this year but reported three homicides and an increase in nonfatal shootings they link in part to a group from a neighboring county; the department outlined enforcement, prevention and outreach measures.
Annapolis Police Department leaders told the Public Safety Standing Committee that overall crime is down this year while violent incidents — including homicides and shootings — have increased in certain categories and that a cross‑jurisdictional enforcement effort is under way.
Chief Jackson told the committee “crime is down by 8% this year,” while also reporting three homicides in 2025 compared with one at the same point in 2024. He said two suspects have been identified in two cases, one suspect is in custody and another homicide remains unsolved.
On shootings and shots-fired reports, APD described a mixed trend: shooting victims were up (seven so far in 2025 versus four in the same period last year) and noncontact shootings (discharges) were up to 22 incidents from 18 over the same span. APD leadership attributed part of the uptick in nonfatal shootings and discharges to a group based in a neighboring county that traveled into Annapolis during a social‑media dispute.
Captain Guy Thacker told the committee that the department has a specific strategy to “dismantle this group” with partners in Anne Arundel County and federal agencies; he said the attorney general’s office is taking the lead on an investigation and that APD expects concrete operational steps to follow a meeting scheduled the next day. Deputy Chief Stanley Brantford reported recent short‑term reductions after the department implemented its summer crime plan: a 33% reduction in discharging incidents, a 50% reduction in nonfatal shootings and a 40% reduction in shots‑fired calls over the last 30 days, figures the department presented as indicators the plan is having an effect.
Quality‑of‑life crimes and vehicle theft: The department emphasized recurring “quality of life” problems such as thefts from vehicles and burglaries. APD reported Ward 2 had 42 thefts from autos and six stolen vehicles; officials said those six stolen vehicles were left unlocked. APD repeatedly urged residents to secure vehicles and property.
Community engagement and prevention: APD briefed the committee on outreach and prevention steps. The department said it will launch a public‑safety podcast and 15–30 second public service announcements to deliver regular messaging to youth and the community; Chief Jackson proposed working with the schools, the housing authority and local faith leaders on repeated, targeted messaging. APD also described a prospective youth camp partnership to give Clay Street youth a different environment and trauma‑informed clinician support; the department said Washington, D.C. Parks & Recreation offered support for an 80‑slot program. APD further said it is working with retail managers (Safeway, Kohl’s) on theft prevention and neighborhood engagement events.
Hate-crimes grant: APD said it is partnering with Anne Arundel County and the county health department on a federal hate-crimes grant that funds overtime for outreach and equipment tied to hate‑crime response.
Ending: The committee endorsed continued coordination between police, schools, housing, parks and community partners and asked for short public-service clips from APD’s new communications work when available.
