The Abingdon Community Council held its monthly meeting at the Abingdon Public Library Monday evening. Harford County Councilman, Joe Woods, District B, started the proceedings by reporting that the County Council rejected the first redistricting recommendation presented by the advisory commission appointed to redraw voting districts for the county. A public hearing is scheduled for November 15, 6:30 p.m. at the Harford County Public School Administration Building. Woods stated that Abingdon is currently represented by two county districts, B and F, but could be represented by as many as three under guidelines being considered in the current redistricting process.
He also reported that Harford County is currently in the process of rewriting its guidelines on fire lanes and security alarms. As laws currently stand, there are few situations in which parking in a fire lane is an enforceable offense. Police can only ask individuals to move their vehicles and are unable to issue tickets.
Harford County Sheriff’s Captain C.W. Swain reported that the crime data software upgrade for their department is still ongoing. Crime incidents are available to the public by visiting www.crimereports.com. Individuals can type in their address and any nearby reported incidents appear in a list.
Swain reported that Monday morning a 14-year-old boy was approached by a man in a dark-colored van and threatened within the St Clair subdivision. No further information was able to be provided. Swain also reminded those in attendance to the meeting that Halloween is a busy evening for police. Because of this, extra deputy patrols are scheduled. Citizens should call and report any incidents so that the police can target those areas with additional patrols.
Last week there was an armed robbery at the Chick-Fil-A restaurant in Abingdon. To date, there have been no arrests. Swain reported that recently businesses have been burglary targets. The Harford County Sheriff’s Department notified area businesses and commercial establishments that these incidents have involved the disabling of alarm systems prior to forced entry.
Harford County’s 2012 Master Plan Draft and Land Use Element Plan was released to the public last week. It is currently available for review and public comment at www.harfordcountymd.gov/PlanningZoning/Index.cfm?ID=673. Head of Planning & Zoning, Pete Gutwald, will be asked to attend the November meeting of the Abingdon Community Council to answer questions concerning the plan, specifically how it impacts the Abingdon community.
C. David Copenhaver, Abingdon Community Council member, has developed the “ACC enews,” which is available to the public. Interested individuals can sign up to receive this information by sending an e-mail to abingdoncc@gmail.com.
The next meeting of the Abingdon Community Council is scheduled for Monday, November 28, 6:30 p.m. and will be held at the Abingdon Public Library.
Would like to point out the crime data is not fully public. This paper and my company, SpotCrime, is restricted from republishing the crime data on the crime mapping site referenced in the article.
Why does the public need to agree to terms to view public data?
Colin Drane- Founder – SpotCrime – Baltimore
My guess is because the website crimreports.com is a service offered by a private company, not one offered by a government agency.
If you want “fully public” crime data, I am sure you can contact the HCSO and get it. But it won’t be in such a pretty format.
That’s why it’s a service. And a free one at that.