City police begin strategizing to effectively handle marijuana

by CMA 303 Comment Closed
By Stacey Axler When Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signed the decriminalization of marijuana bill into law on April 14, the Frederick City Police began to strategize on how to battle underage marijuana use in the city. Though possession of a small amount of marijuana is decriminalized along with the access to medical marijuana for adult use, the Frederick City Police department strives to educate city residents on safe uses of the drug and continue drug education programs for local youths. The Drug Enforcement Unit hopes to alter the enforcement policies they use for vendors that target tobacco and alcohol to minors to include a policy on marijuana, but currently do not have any plans to combat only marijuana. (more…)...
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Frederick City Police Budget Increases Due to Staffing Goals

by CMA 303 Comment Closed
By Stacey Axler The increase in the budget to over $28 million for the year is primarily due to an increase in the “Police Staffing Strategy” which suggests a raise in the salaries and staff members for the department and increases the budget for “police equipment and technology necessary for the core function of police work. At the budget meeting, Ledwell and Fiscal Affairs Manager of the Frederick City Police Heather Reader presented graphs showing that the population of Frederick city has grown steadily over the past few years, which has resulted in an increase of calls for service. According to Ledwell, these statistics suggest that an increase in hiring of officers is necessary.  The budget includes room to “over-hire” five officers to the department.  Currently, the city police staffs around 200 employees. Ledwell hopes the number of employees will increase by five per year to reflect the growing population of Frederick. Besides for officers, the budget also reflects the hiring of all...
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New Bill to Keep Maryland Roads Safer

by CMA 303 Comment Closed
By Stacey Axler A bill which increases the penalties for drivers who are convicted repeat offenders of driving under the influence of drugs and/ or alcohol reached the House and the Senate in the Maryland General Assembly and received unanimous support from both chambers. Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith sponsors the Impaired Driving- Repeat Offender- Penalties Bill, titled HB 0957 in the House.  “Delegate Valentino-Smith, as the lead sponsor of the bill, naturally sees it as having a positive effect on the societal scourge of drunk and drugged driving,” Legislative Director for Delegate Valentino- Smith Scott Schuette said. (more…)...
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