Press Room

Annapolis seeks crime solutions

The Baltimore Examiner
Jan. 21, 2008

by Carolyn Peirce

Annapolis - Local officials say more police officers, cameras and working with Anne Arundel police are ways to solve the city’s crime.

Some city aldermen have recommended placing cameras in areas of public housing communities with more crime.

“We’ve been talking about cameras for the past two years ... We’ve just got to determine how we can use them,” said Alderwoman Classie Hoyle, D-Ward 3.

Alderman Sam Shropshire, D-Ward 7, said he is drafting legislation, so the city can create an affordable housing program for police officers to live in Annapolis.

“Nobody can deny that having a police car in the driveways our of communities is an excellent deterrent of crime,” said Shropshire.

He also said some of the city’s crime element comes from outside of Annapolis’ borders, though as to what the percentage of non-residents committing crime is unavailable. Annapolis police did not return calls for comment.

Anne Arundel police said the problem goes both ways and they are working with the Annapolis police.

Anne Arundel County Councilman Josh Cohen, D-District 6, a former city alderman and former probation officer, said crime is the top city issue, and criminal influences from Baltimore and the District are coming to Annapolis.

“Outside of the city, it’s a concern and not the No. 1 issue,” Cohen said.

“If Annapolis doesn’t get a handle on the crime problem now, it will be that much harder to get the genie back in the bottle. Annapolis is a small town with big city challenges.”

Crime has become a discussion topic in Annapolis after Friday’s double homicide on Bens Drive, where a woman discovered two bodies in an apartment complex.

Police have not disclosed how Annapolis residents Cecelia Brown, 50, and Charles Cully Jr., 29, were killed. Police said Sunday no new information is available.

Members of the Eastport Task Force to Stop the Gunfire demanded the city develop a plan to combat crime at a recent city council meeting. They told the council about gunfire at night, being robbed at gunpoint and losing children to crime.

Residents said more police officers are needed on foot patrol, and Doug Smith, president of the Ward One Residents Association in the historic district, asked the council to require monthly reports from the Annapolis police department on its recruiting efforts.