Emergency management: Food Friday distribution, Ward 2 overdose hotspots and active hurricane season preparations

Kevin Simmons, emergency manager for the city of Annapolis, told the Public Safety Standing Committee the Office of Emergency Management’s regular programs continue and described overdose trends concentrated in Ward 2 alongside hurricane-season messaging.

Food distribution: Simmons said the Food Friday program, run with Recreation & Parks and the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, distributes about 300 boxes of fresh and nonperishable food. For the recent distribution he gave counts: 76 families, 86 individuals, 30 seniors and 61 children; roughly 20% of deliveries in Ward 2 were around the Clay Street corridor.

Overdose data and outreach: On substance use disorder, Simmons said Ward 2 recorded nine overdoses in 2024, the third-lowest count among the city’s wards since the city began keeping records in 2015, and five fatal overdoses (one pending). He said 78% of Ward 2 overdoses were within a few blocks of Clay Street and identified specific locations: two on Glenwood Street, two on Calvert, two on West Washington, one on Brewer, one on North Linden and one in New Vernon. By race, Simmons said six overdoses involved African American individuals and three involved white individuals.

On harm-reduction resources, Simmons said discussions are ongoing with the health department to place additional Narcan vending machines in the city; he estimated equipment costs previously as “about, I want to say, $20,000” but said site identification and funding remain to be finalized. He noted some local residents already keep naloxone available and that outreach partners include the mayor’s office, Neighborhood Alliance for a More (NAM) outreach, the police department, the fire department and county health services.

Hurricane outlook and preparedness: Simmons said national forecasts predict an active Atlantic hurricane season (June 1–Nov. 30), and advised residents to prepare. He summarized projected ranges from forecast models (13–19 named storms, six–10 hurricanes, three–five major hurricanes) and reviewed storm-category effects on wind and damage. He noted the city will issue a press release and urged residents and visitors to download the Prepare Me Annapolis app for city messages.

Why it matters: The overdose heat map and outreach overlay shown to the committee were intended to guide placement of resources and to show where outreach already occurs. The hurricane-season forecast and public information steps are time-sensitive for coastal Annapolis.

Ending: The committee asked follow-up questions about expanding naloxone vending and outreach; Simmons said the city will continue coordination with the health department and community partners and will issue preparedness messaging ahead of the storm season.