Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Policing Advisory Commission to Hold Public Forum on Traffic Enforcement in Montgomery County; Believes that Traffic Enforcement Practices Do Not Meet Basic Tests of Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Equal Enforcement

Published December 30, 2022 at 11:40AM

Per Montgomery County: The Policing Advisory Commission (PAC) of Montgomery County is holding a virtual public forum on Jan. 9, 2023, to solicit community testimony and feedback on traffic enforcement in the County by the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). Other police departments — municipalities, park police, state police, etc. — are not under the PAC’s purview. Community members are invited to register to provide live testimony during the public hearing or to submit written, audio, or video testimony. Community members are asked to limit their live testimony to no more than three minutes and to one speaker per organization (if applicable). Written, audio, and visual testimony submitted prior to the public hearing may be longer, if needed. The deadline to register to speak at the public hearing is 4 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2023.

The PAC believes that traffic enforcement practices in the County do not meet basic tests of effectiveness, efficiency, and equal enforcement, and that a change in mission, focus, and strategy is necessary. The PAC’s report on traffic enforcement, including recommendations, can be found here. The PAC is very interested in hearing from the Montgomery County community regarding their experience with traffic enforcement, and what changes or improvements they would like to see.

Beyond MoCo

Maryland State Police To Increase Patrols As New Year’s Eve Approaches

By Patrick Herron

Published December 30, 2022 at 10:54AM

Per the Maryland State Police: With New Year’s Eve coming up on Saturday, Maryland State Police are urging those who plan to celebrate with alcohol to be safe and smart and avoid impaired, distracted and aggressive driving. With an increase in impaired drivers expected throughout the state this weekend, state police will be conducting saturation patrols at each of the 23 barracks focusing on impaired, aggressive and distracted driving. Enforcement will be bolstered by impaired driving saturation patrol funds from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office.

The initiatives, which will take place on various days through New Year’s, include saturation patrols in areas known to have a higher number of DUI crashes or arrests. These efforts in many cases will include partnering with allied law enforcement and other state agencies to both enforce the law and offer outreach to the community through social media and electronic billboards.

Aspen Hill

Approximately 50 Firefighters Respond to House Fire in Aspen Hill

By Patrick Herron

Published December 29, 2022 at 7:51PM | Updated December 29, 2022 at 8:23PM

Around 50 Montgomery County firefighters responded to a single-family house fire in the 13300blk of Georgia Ave, near Regina Dr, in Aspen Hill on Thursday. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire originated in the basement of the home, which appeared to be abandoned (however power was still connected). The fire was reported by a passerby who reported smoke coming from home. There were no injuries reported.

Per @mcfrsPIO on twitter: “Update – Georgia Avenue, fire in basement, lots of stuff in basement, bulk of Fire is knocked down, checking for extension, no injuries”

Damascus

MCFRS Respond to Three Car Collision in Damascus

By Patrick Herron

Published December 29, 2022 at 7:38PM

Per @mcfrsPIO on twitter: “Update – Ridge Road and Preakness Drive, collision, MCFRS_EMIHS, evaluating multiple injuries, incl at least 2 trauma patients, CCM18 assisting, fire hydrant damaged/sheared off, some lanes blocked”

Update – Ridge Road and Preakness Drive, collision, @MCFRS_EMIHS evaluating multiple injuries, incl at least 2 trauma patients, CCM18 assisting, fire hydrant damaged/sheared off, some lanes blocked https://t.co/EsAW9PIoLA

Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces Additional $10 Million For Neighborhood Safety Grants as Part of “Refund the Police” Initiative

By Patrick Herron

Published December 29, 2022 at 5:28PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today announced nearly $10 million in grant awards through the Community Safety Works program to more than 150 business districts, neighborhood associations, local governments and nonprofit organizations across Maryland, expanding on the governor’s Re-Fund The Police Initiative.

Administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), this program improves the livability and economic potential of Maryland communities through targeted investments in crime prevention that impact community safety. With the second round of awards, Community Safety Works has assisted more than 450 organizations.

Montgomery Village

Montgomery Village Update (What’s New, What’s Closed, and What’s Coming Soon)

By Patrick Herron

Published December 29, 2022 at 4:23PM | Updated December 29, 2022 at 5:15PM

Below is a list of restaurants and businesses that have recently opened or will be coming soon to Montgomery Village, MD: Coming Soon: Dunkin’ Dunkin’ is continuing its massive expansion […]

Gaithersburg

Detectives From Special Investigations Unit are Asking For Public’s Assistance in Locating Missing 13-Year Old

By Patrick Herron

Published December 29, 2022 at 2:02PM | Updated December 30, 2022 at 10:42AM

Newman is approximately 5-feet, 5-inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved sweater, a yellow ski mask, black pants and a black hoodie. Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Keondre Antonio Newman is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301)279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240)773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.

Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Maryland State Police Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Crash In Prince George’s County

By Patrick Herron

Published December 29, 2022 at 1:49PM

The victim, a male who has yet to be positively identified, was transported by ambulance to University of Maryland Capital Regional Medical Center, where he was declared deceased. The driver of the Hyundai, a female, and a child who was a passenger in the vehicle, were transported by ambulance to Anne Arundel Medical Center for treatment of their injuries. According to investigators, impaired driving was not a factor in this crash. The road was closed until about 8:50 p.m. following the crash. The Maryland State Police Crash Team will conduct the investigation into this incident. The case remains under investigation

Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Maryland State Police Arrest Man Following Barricade Situation In St. Mary’s County

By Patrick Herron

Published December 29, 2022 at 1:47PM

Buckler was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center, where he is awaiting an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner. Following consultation with the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, Buckler was charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and failure to comply with the provisions of a final extreme protective order. Troopers from the Criminal Enforcement Division – Southern Region will be conducting the investigation into this case.

The case remains under investigation

MoCo History

17th Annual Montgomery History Conference to be Held Online in January

By Patrick Herron

Published December 29, 2022 at 1:38PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery History will hold its 17th Annual Montgomery County History Conference as an online event Jan. 21, 25 and 28. The conference will offer a myriad of opportunities to participate, including three keynote sessions, 12 breakout sessions and a film screening.

Breakout sessions will cover topics such as restrictive covenants and housing discrimination, Frieda’s Cottage, LGBTQ+ history, the archaeology of the enslaved, suburban growth in the 1980s and the changing face of agriculture. There also will be a session on the Oyster Wars on the Chesapeake Bay.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Holiday Schedule for New Year’s Weekend, Saturday, Dec. 31, Through Monday, Jan. 2

By Patrick Herron

Published December 29, 2022 at 1:01PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have schedule and program changes for the New Year’s Weekend, Saturday, Dec. 31, through Monday, Jan. 2.