Thank you for joining us today. From the renaissance of our historic neighborhoods, to the continuing expansion of our growth areas, every community in Baltimore County has been touched by the progress of the past six years. We are proud of what we have accomplished during this time, and we know that none of it would have been possible if the people in Baltimore County did not feel safe where they live, shop, and work. Public safety is the foundation of Baltimore County’s prosperity. It is the foundation of everything else that government does, and from 2002 through 2007, our County has seen a 20 percent drop in serious crime. Without public safety, there would be no Baltimore County renaissance. Fortunately, we are home to one of the finest Police Departments in the country. Under the leadership of Chief Jim Johnson, the men and women who serve are among the most innovative and effective police officers in the nation. From the Police Chief himself to our newest cadet, the members of our Police Department strive for excellence each and everyday. And people in neighborhoods all across Baltimore County respect and appreciate their efforts. The tireless work ethic, consummate professionalism, and dedication to service demonstrated by our Baltimore County police have earned that respect and appreciation. It is because the people in our communities trust our police, and work with them as partners that we have created better, stronger, and healthier neighborhoods. It is that trust and partnership that are key to keeping declining crime statistics. Crime is at a twenty year low in Baltimore County, but our Police Department is not resting on its laurels. Collaborating with our communities, with State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger, and with the State of Maryland, County Police are developing new strategies to make our neighborhoods safer than ever before. As we look at the crime statistics in our current year, these efforts are having a real impact on crime. Crime in the first half of 2008 has decreased significantly compared to crime during the first half of last year. Most impressively, of the eight serious crime categories, seven have seen a decrease. Rape has decreased by 6.2 percent, Robbery by 8.5 percent, Aggravated Assault by 2.5 percent, Burglary by 5.8 percent, and Motor Vehicle Theft and Arson, each have decreased by 15.8 percent. And the most horrific crime in our society, homicide, is projected to drop 40 percent for the entire year. During 2007, there were 36 homicides in Baltimore County. Through the end of October 2008, we have had 19. We are on a pace to have 23 homicides for the entire year. Should this trend continue, that would not only be the lowest number of homicides in the past ten years, it would be the 2nd lowest since 1980. In addition to our decrease in crime, the Baltimore County Police Department is maintaining a clearance rate of 74 percent for violent crime and over 80 percent for homicides. Let me be clear what this statistic means to criminals: when a crime is committed in Baltimore County, you will be caught, you will be prosecuted, and you will go to jail. This progress is the result of hard work and a commitment to collaboration to find solutions to crime. Baltimore County’s Police Department works closely with State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger and his office to make sure that when those arrests are made there is sufficient evidence to support convictions. Crime does not pay in Baltimore County. Baltimore County is also in the midst of an unprecedented era of cooperation between the State of Maryland and local law enforcement. Governor Martin O’Malley and his administration have been working tirelessly as partners with Baltimore County and their collaboration has proved essential to the results we are seeing today. The Department of Juvenile Justice’s Multi Systemic Therapy program is research based, and it works. It reduces recidivism and does so in a cost effective manner, limiting the number of youthful offenders who end up housed in our state facilities. The Maryland Department of Parole and Probation’s new Violence Prevention Initiative collaborates with our Police Department to provide intensive supervision of their most violent offenders. These are just two of the State programs that are making a real difference in our communities.
The statistics you see today are clear evidence of the results of Baltimore County’s continued commitment to public safety and to our outstanding police department.
Police Chief Jim Johnson is first and foremost a dedicated police officer, a role model for other officers. He is also an outstanding Chief of police, who gets the job done through the dedication and commitment of the brave men and women who serve under Chief Johnson’s command. Every police officer in the county shares in our Department’s success. Now, it is my pleasure to give you Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson. Thank you, Chief Johnson. For the past two years, Scott Shellenberger has worked to put behind bars those who commit crimes in Baltimore County. He is an invaluable partner in safeguarding County neighborhoods and business districts. It is my pleasure to turn over the mike to Baltimore County State’s Attorney - Scott Shellenberger.
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Courthouse 