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Safe and Engaged Communities

Hold the property crime rate per 100,000 under the state-wide average (target)

1,385 

CY22 Actual

CY21 Actual
1,086.03

Objective Description

Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Property crime consists of the theft-type offenses which involve the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The effects of property crimes can contribute to deteriorating neighborhoods and declining property values. Theft is often a crime of opportunity and difficult to prevent. The “Target” line shown, represents the state-wide Maryland average for property crime. The goal of the Howard County Police Department (HCPD) is to keep Howard County well below this state-wide average.

Trend Analysis

While the property crime numbers for 2022 appear higher than they did in 2021 it is mostly 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 following 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 all charges associated with an incident. Because one incident may have multiple offenses associated with it, the NIBRS system lists a higher number of crimes. This does not necessarily mean the number of incidents where a crime took place is higher. * The FY23 Estimate and the FY24 Projection are the same as the FY22 Actual. Crime rates do not always follow clear trends and attempting to predict future crime rates is unlikely to be accurate. This duplication is based on zero population increase.

Strategies

  • Partner with residents, visitors and businesses to mitigate crime.
  • Conduct frequent crime prevention initiatives. Theft prevention campaigns are effective at lowering thefts from auto and open garage doors.
  • 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 bi-weekly (known as AIM) 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.
  • 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.
  • Train Fire Marshals, at the Police Academy, to enhance resources combating and investigating Arson.

Source: Howard County Police Uniform Crime Report

References

Target = 1,626

Detailed Analysis


Howard County, Maryland

George Howard Building
3430 Court House Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043 

dash@howardcountymd.gov


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