Public Safety and Corrections Archives

More Grant Funds Available for Local Agencies Doing Roadway Safety Enforcement

Another round of state grant funding for life-saving traffic safety initiatives is now available to local jurisdictions and agencies doing highway safety and traffic enforcement. The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration's (MVA) Highway Safety Office is now accepting applications for traffic safety grants that support Maryland's mission to eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Local law enforcement agencies may apply for funding until February 28. The opportunities will cover programs conducted from October…

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January 7, 2026

2026 MACo Issue Previews / Public Safety and Corrections

Immigration Enforcement and Juvenile Justice Poised to Dominate Public Safety Debate in 2026 Session

As the 2026 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly approaches, immigration enforcement and juvenile justice are two topics likely to dominate much of the public safety policy debate. Both immigration enforcement and juvenile justice are not new topics to the Maryland General Assembly. Juvenile justice has been a primary topic consistently for at least the last four years with multiple phases of changes taking place. Immigration enforcement came on the radar somewhat more sporadically…

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December 29, 2025

Public Safety and Corrections / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: Returning Citizens from Local Detention Centers Starts on Day One

Experts from local detention centers across the state discussed the strategies and planning that begins on day one to return a detained individual to the community following detention in a local facility. Some facilities even keep their doors open in case an individual is struggling in the community and needs to come back for help. During the 2025 MACo Winter Conference session on behalf of the MACo Corrections Affiliate, local leaders in county detention centers…

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December 23, 2025

County News / Emergency Management / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections

Washington County First Responders Now Deliver Whole Blood in the Field

The Washington County Division of Emergency Services (DES) has announced the launch of a Whole Blood Program, a life-saving advancement in prehospital care for critically injured patients experiencing severe blood loss (hemorrhagic shock). Meritus Medical Center, the region’s Level III Trauma Center, is the first hospital in Western Maryland to stock low-titer O whole blood (LTOWB), a battlefield innovation now transforming civilian medicine. Patients in hemorrhagic shock have a much higher chance of survival when whole…

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December 4, 2025

County News / Emergency Management / Public Safety and Corrections

Garrett Boosts 9-1-1 Readiness With Unified Emergency Communications

Garrett County bolstered its emergency response system by moving 9-1-1 communications under the Emergency Management Division and relocating operations to the County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This shift improves coordination across law enforcement, fire, and EMS while reinforcing system reliability during high-demand incidents. County 9-1-1 specialists now answer all emergency calls from the EOC and gather essential information for responders. They hold national medical, fire, and police dispatch certifications, which enable them to provide callers…

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December 2, 2025

Public Safety and Corrections / Transportation and Public Works

Holiday Travel Advisory: MDTA Releases Suggested Drive Times

Thanksgiving remains one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is sharing suggested travel times and safety reminders for drivers using Maryland toll facilities. With ongoing closures on I-695 and potential work zones across the state, MDTA urges travelers to plan ahead, drive with caution, and put safety first. Additional resources and toll information are available online to help motorists navigate the holiday rush. RECOMMENDED TIMES TO DRIVE…

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November 20, 2025

County News / Education / Emergency Management / Public Safety and Corrections / Risk Management

Queen Anne’s CERT Program Trains 10 New Community Responders

Ten residents graduated from the Fall 2025 cohort of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program, managed by the Queen Anne’s County Department of Emergency Services, which concluded on October 28. The class was held weekly, spanning eight evenings in September and October, at the Queen Anne’s County Library Kent Island Branch in Stevensville. Participants learned how to become better prepared and how to help until professional first responders arrive for situations ranging from day-to-day…

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November 20, 2025

Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations / Public Safety and Corrections / Winter Conference

Federal Policy and Marginalized Communities: County Strategies for Support and Equity at #MACoCon

Counties sit at the crossroads of federal policy and local impact. When Washington makes decisions on funding, regulations, or enforcement, those choices don’t stay in DC — they ripple directly through county budgets, services, and communities. From Medicaid and healthcare to disaster relief, housing, food security, and energy, states and county governments often carry the load of federal shifts while keeping residents safe and services stable. These changes uniquely effect marginalized communities across every county…

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November 17, 2025

County News / Information Technology / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections / Risk Management

Cybersecurity, AI Bots & Public Records: What Counties Need to Know

In this week's episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Karrington Anderson talks with Sarah Sample to break down the rapidly evolving world of Public Information Act (PIA) requests in Maryland and why counties are feeling the pressure. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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November 14, 2025

County News / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections

Harford Launches Lifesaving Whole Blood Program for Pre-Hospital Trauma Care

Patients in Harford County suffering from trauma and/or internal bleeding that results in substantial blood loss can now receive a whole blood transfusion before they get to a hospital or trauma center, significantly increasing their chances of survival. Statistics show that patients who receive whole blood before going into cardiac arrest from blood loss have a 90 to 100 percent survivability rate. Since implementation in September, Harford’s Whole Blood Program – a regional partnership with Sinai…

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November 13, 2025