Public Safety and Corrections Archives

Federal Judge Blocks NY Law Banning Masks for ICE Officers

In a recent decision, a federal judge, and Obama appointee, struck down a New York law banning face coverings for federal agents and a requirement to wear visible identification. A federal judge has temporarily blocked portions of New York's law restricting how federal immigration officers conduct enforcement operations while allowing another key provision to remain in effect. In an August 3 preliminary injunction, US District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino ruled that New York may not…

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August 6, 2026

Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference

Immigration Policy Shifts Across All Levels of Government at #MACoCon

Immigration polices at the local, state, and federal level have been evolving rapidly with residents and government officials seeking clarity on protocols in Maryland. County officials are increasingly navigating the local impacts of a rapidly changing immigration landscape, even as many of the key policy decisions are being made at the federal and state levels. This session will provide a timely, nonpartisan overview of the latest developments and help officials understand how federal enforcement actions,…

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August 4, 2026

Public Safety and Corrections

Report Shows US Crime Continues to Fall as Maryland Sees Similar Trends

A new mid-year analysis from the Council on Criminal Justice finds that crime continues to decline across many major US cities, a trend that broadly mirrors improving public safety indicators in Maryland. The Council on Criminal Justice’s mid-year 2026 analysis finds that the broad decline in crime seen nationally in 2025 has continued into 2026. Across the 36 large US cities examined, nine of 13 crime categories declined, with homicides down 18 percent compared with…

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July 29, 2026

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

Talbot County Expands EMS Coverage With New Station 95

Talbot County has opened a new emergency medical services station in Cordova that will improve emergency response times for residents in the county's northern region while expanding the county's long-term emergency medical services capacity. Station 95 was designed to support the county's growing EMS system and will soon become home to Paramedic 95, a two-person advanced life support crew staffed around the clock. The facility features four apparatus bays, dedicated storage space, living quarters for…

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July 23, 2026

Public Safety and Corrections

Community Policing Takes Center Stage During National Night Out Events

National Night Out events will be happening across Maryland on August 4, bringing together law enforcement and residents at community centered events that promote connection between police and the neighborhoods they serve. Effective public safety is about more than responding to emergencies. It also depends on building strong relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Community policing gives police departments and sheriffs' offices opportunities to engage with residents outside of enforcement situations, helping…

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July 23, 2026

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

“Eric’s ID Law” Sees Strong Uptake Across Maryland

Maryland's "Eric's ID Law" is gaining traction, with thousands of residents opting into the state's voluntary hidden disability identification program, and other states beginning to follow its lead. According to a Maryland Matters article, less than a year after Maryland launched its voluntary butterfly logo program for driver's licenses and identification cards, more than 22,000 Marylanders have requested the symbol, highlighting significant demand for tools that help identify individuals with nonapparent disabilities during interactions with…

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July 21, 2026

Government Liability and Courts / Public Safety and Corrections

Statewide Speed Camera Report Offers New Insights on Habitual Offenders

A new evaluation from the Maryland Department of Legislative Services (DLS) finds that automated speed enforcement continues to reduce speeding at camera locations while also shedding new light on the relatively small number of drivers responsible for the state's most serious speeding violations. The Maryland Department of Legislative Services (DLS) recently released its Evaluation of Speed Monitoring Systems, offering lawmakers and local officials a comprehensive look at how automated speed enforcement is performing across the…

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July 21, 2026

County News / Economic Development / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Public Safety and Corrections

Baltimore City Expands Community Action Lab to Southeast District

Following the successful launch of its Community Action Lab earlier this year, the City of Baltimore is expanding the program to a second police district, giving more residents the opportunity to help lead neighborhood revitalization and public safety efforts. Applications are now open for the second Community Action Lab cohort, which will serve residents, community partners, and small business owners in the Baltimore Police Department's Southeastern District. The 12-week paid leadership program equips participants with…

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July 16, 2026

Courts / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections

MD Supreme Court Upholds Sanctions Against Maryland Department of Health

In a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court of Maryland, upheld sanctions against the Maryland Department of Health, requiring payments to some local detention centers that incur the costs of the agencies non-compliance. As previously covered on Conduit Street, the Supreme Court of Maryland accepted a petition to consider whether the Appellate Court of Maryland acted within its authority when it imposed sanctions against the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) for not complying with Maryland law. Yesterday,…

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July 16, 2026

Information Technology / Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference

New Technologies Offer Counties New Tools for Safer, Smarter Detention Centers

As local detention centers continue to modernize operations, artificial intelligence is emerging as a new tool with potential applications beyond traditional technology. A recent Urban Institute report highlights how AI systems are beginning to assist correctional facilities with administrative tasks, movement tracking, documentation requirements, and more—functions that consume significant staff time in facilities already facing workforce shortages. By automating routine processes, these tools can allow correctional officers and detention staff to spend more time on…

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July 14, 2026