Fire and Police chiefs report falling violent‑crime metrics, rising call volume and staffing needs; committee adopts contraband‑disposal ordinance

Fire and police leaders told the Public Safety Committee that they plan strategic staffing and operational investments after a year of high call volume and several notable public‑safety successes.

Fire department: Deputy and line chiefs said the department responded to 13,626 calls for service in 2024, roughly 500 more than 2023, and that emergency medical services account for about three‑quarters of the work. Fire officials said that, despite rising call volume, 2024 fire loss in dollar valuation was markedly lower than prior years and that the department recorded no civilian fire injuries or deaths. Chief Doug Romali and Deputy Chief Matthew Lopez described operational challenges tied to narrow colonial streets in the historic district and urged attention to the sprinkler ordinance the council passed (reference to a 2022 ordinance requiring sprinklers on Main and Francis within a multi‑year compliance window).

Lopez said the department is producing a new strategic plan with the Center for Public Safety Excellence model and expects a draft for the chief’s review by September 2025. The fire department also said it has requested funding for IT and reporting support to manage newer software platforms and to relieve uniform personnel of time‑consuming technology administration.

Police department: The police presentation covered staffing, accreditation work, crime trends and new programs. The department said it expects to add two command staff hires soon and reported active planning on CALEA accreditation compliance; staff said they hosted an on‑site CALEA assessor and hope to have credentials presented at the national conference in August.

A University of Maryland workload study requested by the city was delivered to the department in final form the week before the meeting; the chief said staff are still reviewing the roughly 60‑page report and intend to present recommendations to the council after internal review. The department also described a juvenile diversion program (JOINs) and a range of community outreach efforts that include the Powell program (youth/family activities), "Coffee with the Cops" and a recent expansion of crossing‑guard coverage.

Crime trends and enforcement: Police leaders said overall violent‑crime metrics dropped in 2024 compared with 2023. The department reported three homicides in 2024, explained that one homicide found in Annapolis had origins in Baltimore City, and said shots‑fired reports and contact shootings declined from the prior year. Officers also described enforcement initiatives and federal partnerships to pursue prohibited persons who possess firearms; the chief said the department pursues federal adoption of qualifying firearm cases when appropriate.

Cameras and technology: The police commander described ongoing work to upgrade camera infrastructure and to link private cameras into cooperative, real‑time centers (county pilot programs were mentioned). Staff said the city IT department currently holds the camera budget but the police department coordinates placement and operational needs.

Gun turn‑in and seized items: The department described two voluntary gun turn‑in events in 2024 that yielded 69 firearms and several thousand rounds of ammunition; staff said most surrendered firearms are destroyed unless they must be preserved for evidentiary purposes.

Vote: The committee adopted ordinance O‑28‑24 (property/contraband disposal) with an amendment; the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Ending: Chiefs asked council support for targeted technology, grant‑management capacity and staffing to implement recommendations from the workload study. Police leaders said a forthcoming briefing will present the study's staffing recommendations and cost implications.