Pocomoke City police report: Chief Hancock credits shot-detection, cameras and staffing for drop in shots-fired calls

Pocomoke City’s police chief reported measurable declines in gunfire calls and outlined recent investments in technology and staffing, telling the mayor and council on Feb. 2 that the department has strengthened response capability.

“Since the shock detector was installed and completed in October ’25, we’ve seen a 69% decrease overall,” Chief Hancock said, citing the shot‑detection system and 26 added cameras (including license‑plate readers) as key tools. Hancock said those upgrades, along with cooperation from regional partners, contributed to a recent period of 74 days with no shots‑fired calls.

Hancock gave several department metrics: about 25,000 calls for service a year (roughly 68 per day), an average officer response time of 2 minutes, 47 seconds, and a local crime rate the department reported at about 56.04 incidents per 1,000 residents—0.04 points above the national average cited in his presentation. He detailed five‑year totals compiled from the department’s records: 33 confirmed shots‑fired incidents over five years, four people hit by gunfire over that span, and a total of 103 assaults (56 categorized as common assaults).

In response to a council question asking whether the detection system had produced concrete investigative leads, Hancock described a recovered stolen vehicle: “Just two weeks ago, we had to work for a stolen vehicle ... the vehicle was over by Lynn Hayden Drive,” he said, describing how camera and detection alerts helped officers locate the vehicle near Cedar Street and a school zone.

Hancock said the department has expanded from five sworn officers when he started in 2021 to 15 officers today, added a detective assigned to investigations, replaced aging vehicles and equipment, and deployed new body cameras and other gear. He also described the K‑9 program using a handler‑owned leasing model: citing Senate Bill 156 (2021), Hancock said leasing avoids the long‑term municipal obligation to provide medical care for retired dogs.

The chief noted the shot‑detection contract (described in the meeting as the Raven system) costs about $27,000 a year for the deployed package and that current payments are covered through September; councilmembers should consider renewal costs at that time, he said. Hancock acknowledged some challenges in community engagement—efforts to run crime‑watch meetings, a cadet program and public outreach are underway—and thanked city leadership for support.

The presentation prompted expressions of appreciation from council members. Hancock said the department also credits assistance from the Maryland State Police and the Fruitland Police Department on recent operations.