Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Capt. Andre Davis was replaced at the Woodlawn Precinct by Towson Precinct Capt. Jonathan Trentzsch in a series of command changes earlier this month.
The former commander of the Baltimore County Police precinct in Woodlawn is the subject of an internal affairs investigation. Capt. Andre Davis was transferred May 10 from his position as commander of the Woodlawn Precinct to an administrative position inside the department's Community Resources section. Elise Armacost, a police department spokeswoman, declined to comment on the investigation. "I can confirm that there is an Internal Affairs investigation into a complaint involving Capt. Davis," Armacost said. "I can't comment on or offer the details of that complaint because it is a personnel matter." Davis was transferred nearly two weeks ago as part of three command staff reassignments. Capt. Richard Howard, who previously was assigned …
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Crime dropped in nine of 10 precincts in the county but increased in Towson. Rapes and some arson, robbery and assault cases also increase.
Baltimore County was a little safer in 2012, according to crime statistics released Wednesday by the Baltimore County Police Department. Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson Wednesday said all crime in Baltimore County decreased 6.7 percent compared to the previous five year average. Violent crime including homicides decreased by 11.1 percent in the same period. "These are some of the best numbers I've seen in my career," Johnson said. "You have to go back 30 years to find crime numbers this low," Johnson said. [Crime statistics released by the Baltimore County Police Department are attached to this article.] Last year, the county recorded 23 homicides. Over the last five years the county average is 29 homicides. There were 30 in 2011…
Monday, April 29, 2013
Both departments will use the social media site, along with Twitter, to disseminate information to the public.
You can now "like" the Baltimore County Police and Fire Departments. County officials announced Monday afternoon that the departments now share a page on Facebook. The page will be used to distribute information from the two departments as well as the county Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. "We know how much people care about police news in their communities," said County Police Chief Jim Johnson, in an emailed statement. "Social media helps us provide information when significant news is breaking. It also helps dispel rumors in an era rumor spreads instantly." The page is the latest foray into social media by the county. The police and fire department already have a presence on Twitter. The Office of Homeland Security…
This is the seventh year for the program.
The Baltimore County Police Department is accepting applications for its youth leadership academy. The six-day program offers teens an opportunity to build leadership skills while learning about the police department. This is the seventh year for the program. The deadline for all applicants is May 31. Students will visit a number of facilities including: The academy will culminate with a graduation ceremony at Baltimore County Public Safety Building/Police Headquarters in Towson. The six-day program for youth ages 14-18 will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, June 24 through Saturday, June 29. Applicants must have good grades and in addition to an application must write an essay explaining why they want to be in the program. Each applicant …
Friday, April 26, 2013
Three county police precincts will host the events Saturday, part of an annual nationwide effort.
County police and Drug Enforcement Administration staff will be on hand at three county police precincts Saturday to collect prescriptions and medications from county residents. The collections will occur from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following precincts: The disposal is part of the DEA's National Take-Back Day. Residents who choose to dispose of drugs Saturday will not be asked any questions or for identification, according to a county police press release. The release advises residents to bring medications in their original packaging or to remove them from the packaging and put them in the disposal box. Liquid medications should be sealed in their original containers, and any identifying information should be removed. No illicit drugs or…
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Increased patrols on Thursday, Friday and Saturday coincide with TigerFest.
Baltimore County and Maryland State Police will increase patrols looking for motorists driving under the influence along the York Road Corridor over the next three days. Police will conduct the patrols form 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. on April 18, 19 and 20 along major roads in the Towson and Timonium areas. Officers will also increase their focus on underage drivers who have been drinking alcohol, according to a statement released by the Baltimore County Police Department. The increased patrols coincide with TigerFest scheduled for April 19 on the campus of Towson University. County police said they also plan to increase patrols in neighborhoods in Towson. A police department news release said "special enforcement patrols will be visible in the …
Monday, April 15, 2013
A county police spokeswoman said officers will patrol local critical infrastructure sites.
Following explosions near the site of the Boston Marathon, Baltimore County police are conducting local patrols as a precautionary measure. Specifically, Police Chief Jim Johnson has ordered precinct commanders to immediately direct officers to check on critical infrastructure sites in the county, according to a statement. "These checks are a precaution reflecting heightened awareness following the Boston incident," according to Elise Armacost, a department spokeswoman. "There is no information at this time to indicate any threat to the Baltimore region." Spokeswoman Cathleen Batton previously said the department has been monitoring the situation to determine what actions are necessary. The expolosions have left two dead and more than 100 …
The Baltimore County executive praises county employees but asks employees to "stay the course" because the proposed budget contains no cost of living salary increases.
UPDATED (10:29 a.m.)—Baltimore County residents will not have to dig deeper for local taxes again this year under a budget proposed by County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. Kamenetz is expected to introduce his third county budget to the Baltimore County Council at 10 a.m. The proposed $2.8 billion operating budget will contain no increases in property or income taxes for the budget year that begins July 1. The county has not raised property taxes in 25 years. The county income tax rate has not been raised in 21 years. The council's Spending Affordabillity committee in January set the limit for ongoing costs subject to spending guidelines at $1.675 billion. Kamenetz said Monday that his plan meets the revised spending guideline. Kamenetz's …
Thursday, April 11, 2013
The department's Youth Leadership Academy is in its seventh year.
The Baltimore County Police Department is giving teens curious about police work a chance to find out what it's all about through an upcoming leadership academy. Teens ages 14 to 18 are encouraged to apply for the Youth Leadership Academy which will be held June 24 to 29 at locations around Baltimore County, according to a news release. The program is limited to 25 students and applications, which can be found on the county website, must be submitted by May 31, the release states. In order to be considered for the program, applicants will have to complete the application, pass a background check, write an essay about why they should be in the program and have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian, according to the release. More …
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
A attorney for Baltimore County, in an email, writes that federal agencies have unjustly "hounded and harassed" the county.
Baltimore County officials believe a recent spate of federal investigations that have gone against the county is driven by bias rather than evidence. The claims are part of an email written by Paul Mayhew, an assistant Baltimore County attorney. The message was sent to a private list of other county government litigators in Maryland. The Maryland State Bar Association manages the list. "For the last five years or so we have been hounded and harassed by the EEOC and the DOJ," Mayhew wrote in the April 4 email. [A copy of the email is attached to this story.] Baltimore County Attorney Michael Field confirmed that the email, obtained by Patch from a source who requested anonymity, was authentic. "We don't feel like we get anything close to a …
CP
10:21 am on Friday, May 3, 2013
Yes Steve they do as with Light Rail. You are way out of touch dude. more ›