Building a Safer Maryland
The road is steep, but our legs are strong, and last year with a government that works, we saved a lot of lives by partnering like never before with our local jurisdictions, by stepping up our efforts to prevent one-time violent offenders from becoming repeat offenders through our Violence Prevention Initiative, by ramping up our efforts to use DNA and fingerprint evidence to solve crimes, and by supporting our courageous police officers, fire fighters, and first responders.
Governor O’Malley put families first by investing in common-sense initiatives that improved public safety in every community and every home in Maryland.
Reducing homicide: Maryland had sixty-six fewer homicides statewide last year – the second largest reduction in twenty-five years.
Taking guns and firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers: To improve public safety in every neighborhood and every home in our state.
Making roads and highways safer: By enacting stricter penalties for drivers under the influence of alcohol, installing speed cameras in highway work zones, banning text messages while driving and creating a new graduated system of licensing for young drivers, the O’Malley-Brown administration is making Maryland’s roads and highways safer.
Protecting Maryland’s seniors: Gov. O’Malley brought together several law enforcement agencies with Silver Alert – an Amber Alert-like system that sends notifications statewide when an older Marylander is lost or missing.
Increasing funding for public safety: An increase of over $200 million in the first three years of the O’Malley-Brown administration has made Maryland families safer. This year, three new State Police Medevac helicopters were purchased and police aid was fully funded despite the recession.
Utilizing state-of-the-art law enforcement technology: With the help of funding from President Obama’s economic stimulus bill, every level of Maryland’s law enforcement will be using information sharing technology. Some of that information is being shared across state lines with Virginia and the District of Columbia. Other technologies being used by the Maryland law enforcement agencies include: advanced fingerprinting technology, expanding the DNA database and tracking and monitoring of repeat violent offenders.
Creating stricter death penalty standards: Gov. O’Malley just signed into law updated standards for using the death penalty – so that the chances of an innocent person being put to death are as small as humanly possible.
Closing down Maryland’s most dangerous and violent prison: Governor O’Malley closed down the Maryland House of Corrections, successfully transferring all inmates to other prisons and jails without any violent incidents.
Developing better drug treatment programs: With increased funding, drug treatment programs are better able to reduce addiction and the likelihood that drug users will commit criminal acts.
Earning a near perfect score for homeland security: the U.S. Coast Guard gave Maryland an almost perfect score for port security. Gone are the days of sleeping guards and decoy cameras. Now, the newest, cutting-edge security technology ensures that Maryland is prepared for any potential disaster – either natural or manmade.
Creating a wireless system for first responders: In the next five years, Maryland will become one of the first states to build a statewide, wireless, interoperable communications system. This system will connect first responders from every single agency to each other, increasing lines of communication and eliminating mistakes.
The effects of the nation's economic hardship are hitting Maryland hard. We're fighting every day to protect Maryland’s families during these tough economic times. We’re also working every day to make sure that government and its programs work for people.
