Public Safety and Corrections Archives

Baltimore Proposes New Department as Third Branch of Public Safety

Baltimore City officials have introduced legislation to establish a Department of Neighborhood Safety, creating a third branch of the City's public safety system focused on violence prevention and alternative responses to certain nonviolent 911 calls. The proposed Department of Neighborhood Safety (DNS) would operate alongside the Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City Fire Department/Emergency Medical Services. The department would formally incorporate the work of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) into the…

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October 1, 2026

Courts / Education / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections

Attorney General Releases New Guidance for Maryland Values Act

In accordance with Maryland law, the Office of the Attorney General has released updated guidance for interactions with immigration enforcement officials at sensitive locations operated by state and local entities. During the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session, lawmakers expanded the provisions of the Maryland Values Act that was originally passed in 2025. This was a piece of legislation that established standards for how state and local officials were to interact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement…

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September 30, 2026

Emergency Management / Environment / Public Safety and Corrections / Risk Management

Frederick County Teams Fire, Solid Waste Divisions To Tackle Lithium-Ion Battery Risks

Frederick County is bringing together its fire and rescue and solid waste teams to address growing public safety risks from improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries. The Frederick County Divisions of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) and Solid Waste and Recycling (DSWR) are launching a joint initiative to help residents safely handle and dispose of lithium-ion batteries, which can pose fire risks in homes and throughout the waste collection system. Lithium-ion batteries are found in everyday electronics…

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September 24, 2026

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

MD Awards $1.36M to Support Gun Violence Prevention Efforts

Communities across Maryland are receiving new resources to address gun violence through prevention, intervention, firearm safety, and support services. In a press release, the Maryland Department of Health's Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention awarded $1.36 million in grants to 17 organizations working to prevent and reduce gun violence statewide. The grants support a range of community-based efforts involving local health departments, community organizations, and law enforcement agencies. Funded projects will focus on firearm…

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September 17, 2026

Education / Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections

New $50M Homebuyer Program Supports First Responders and Teachers

Maryland has launched a new mortgage program offering lower interest rates and down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers who work as first responders or teachers. Applications for the new program are now open. The First Homes for First Responders and Teachers program offers eligible buyers a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with an interest rate 0.5 percentage points below the standard Maryland Mortgage Program First Time Advantage 5% loan. Buyers can also receive assistance equal to 5%…

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September 9, 2026

Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections

New Medicaid Reentry Program for Locally Incarcerated Young Adults

A new Medicaid program adopted by the Maryland Department of Health could help local detentions centers get the cost of care covered for some returning citizens in local custody. Maryland is giving local detention centers a new opportunity to recover some of the costs associated with helping incarcerated individuals transition back into the community through the state’s Medicaid Reentry Program for Children and Young Adults. The program allows eligible local jails to bill Medicaid for…

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September 1, 2026

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

Implementing Eric’s ID Law Across Maryland Communities

MACo Summer Conference panelists discussed implementation of Eric’s ID Law, highlighting the role of training, coordination, and local partnerships in supporting effective interactions between first responders and individuals with nonapparent disabilities. During the 2026 MACo Summer Conference session, “Eric’s ID Law: From Policy to Practice,” moderated by Delegate Kym Taylor, speakers examined the implementation of Maryland’s new voluntary designation for individuals with nonapparent developmental or intellectual disabilities on driver’s licenses and identification cards. Linda Carpenter-Grantham…

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August 19, 2026

Public Safety and Corrections

Improvements in Detention Center Technology Bolsters Positive Lasting Outcomes

Technology enhancements in detention centers is setting a new standard for facility operations and returning citizen outcomes. During the 2026 MACo Summer Conference session, "Rewiring Corrections: Enhancing Security, Education, and Rehabilitation Through Technology," conference attendees got to hear about the myriad of ways local detention centers are leveraging technology to improve operations and outcomes. The session began with an offender-centered approach, highlighted by Queen Anne County Detention Center Captain of Operations, Briana Cottman. Captain Cottman…

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August 19, 2026

Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference

Immigration Enforcement Session Focuses On State Efforts and Local Compliance

State agencies are making a big effort to help local governments and residents understand immigration law amidst federal changes in policies at #MACoCon. During the 2026 MACo Summer Conference session, "Immigration Policy Shifts Across All Levels of Government," speakers helped county officials and other stakeholders understand what has changed at both the federal, state, and local level where immigration enforcement is concerned. State representatives from the Governor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and the Office of…

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August 18, 2026

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

Anne Arundel Earns National Correctional Healthcare Accreditation

The Anne Arundel County Department of Detention Facilities has earned accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) after demonstrating compliance with nationally recognized standards for healthcare services in correctional facilities. The voluntary accreditation follows a comprehensive assessment of the Jennifer Road Detention Center, where reviewers evaluated healthcare operations across a range of areas, including patient care, disease prevention, health promotion, governance, staff training, services for individuals with special needs, and medical-legal compliance.…

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August 6, 2026