Respond to Priority 1 calls within 8 mins 14 secs 80% of the time
Objective Description
Trend Analysis
Total violent crime decreased slightly from 2022 to 2023, but both rates appear higher than in prior years. This is at least partially due to a change in reporting procedures. Crime Statistics are collected and reported based on Uniform Crime Reporting procedures established by the FBI. Prior to 2022, Howard County collected and reported data in accordance with the FBI’s Summary Reporting procedures. In 2022, these procedures were replaced by the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). The primary difference between Summary Reporting and NIBRS is that Summary Reporting data followed a hierarchal system that listed only the most serious offense associated with an incident; NIBRS reports multiple charges associated with an incident. Because one incident may have multiple associated offenses, the NIBRS system lists a higher number of crimes. This does not necessarily mean the number of incidents in which a crime took place is higher. Including the Howard County Police Department, 141 law enforcement agencies in Maryland, or 86% of the total, had completed the switch to NIBRS reporting as of March 2024. The most recent Maryland crimes against persons rate of 958.6 per 100,000 population is calculated with the new NIBRS categories and incorporates data only from the NIBRS-compliant agencies.
The HCPD’s Crime Dashboard, shown below, allows stakeholders to examine reported crimes in detail. Crime rates do not always follow clear trends and attempting to predict future rates may not be accurate.
Strategies
- Utilize various community policing outreach techniques to increase community contact which enhances communication, helps identify suspects, and promotes a sense of safety.
- Hold statistical review sessions (known as AIM) bi-weekly to discuss how to achieve and improve agency objectives.
- Maintain a Repeat Offender program focused on identifying high-rate offenders who frequently and negatively impact our community.
- Partner with residents, visitors and businesses to mitigate crime.
- Aggressively investigate all reported crimes utilizing the latest in technology and social media resources.
- Work with community youth across a range of ages – from young children to older adolescents and young adults through such HCPD programs as: BearTrax, PLEDGE Summer Camps, the Community Athletic Program, The Resiliency Adventure Project, the Youth Police Academy and more. As well as look for more ways to engage the youth of our community.
- Continue to collaborate closely with local, state and federal prosecutors, probation and parole officers, as well as other state and federal law enforcement agencies to keep criminals off the street.
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Source: Howard County Police Department