Sykesville police report few incidents, notes officer resignation and new crime-mapping tool
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Summary
The Sykesville police chief reported only four incident reports for the period, announced Officer Ulrich's recent resignation and described a mapping/visualization tool (Accurint Virtual Command Center) the department is testing with plans to offer public access to crime maps.
At the Sept. 22 Sykesville council meeting, the police chief opened the public safety report by offering condolences for three Northern York County officers shot last week and said a town contingent will attend the funeral. The chief reported just four incident reports during the reporting period and no significant criminal activity.
The chief also said Officer Ulrich resigned last week and the department is actively recruiting, with several applicants and an interview scheduled the following Wednesday; he stressed recruiting remains difficult for small municipal departments competing with larger agencies offering higher salaries and signing bonuses.
On data and public transparency, the chief described a mapping and visualization tool available through the county arrangement with LexisNexis'Accurint (referred to as the Accurint Virtual Command Center) that can display crime hot spots and patrol activity and that the department hopes eventually to provide as a public dashboard. "We'll be able to put it on a map so that you can see visually where these things are occurring as well as, what we're doing to deter these type of crimes," he said, adding staff will refine visuals for council review before broader public release.
Council members and staff offered support for community policing ideas and asked how the council could help with recruitment and community engagement; the chief said the department will advise council if specific help is needed.
