[July 9, 2014, Bel Air, MD] A review of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office crime data from the first six months of 2014 shows a total 12% decrease of Part 1 Crimes as compared to the same time period in 2013.
Of the eight categories which comprise Part 1 Crimes (Murder/Manslaughter, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Larceny/Theft, Motor Vehicle Theft, and Arson), seven categories showed decreases. Most notable are the 26% decrease in burglaries, 26% decrease in robberies and a 52% reduction in rapes. Only one category (Arson) had an increase that accounted for a total of 4 additional incidents.
During the past several years, Harford County has enjoyed historically low crime rates. Even as the surrounding jurisdictions have continued to have higher rates, Harford County has sustained and is the 3rd safest county in MD, according to the 2012 Uniform Crime Report. In 2010, the crime rate was at 2,173.8 per 100,000 people as compared to only 1,899.8 per 100,000 people in 2012.
Sheriff Bane shared his thoughts on the recent success, “While crime cannot be extinguished 100%, and pockets of our communities are still struggling with violent crime, the data supports what many of us already knew, Harford County is a safe place to live, work, and raise families. I am proud of the dedication the men and women of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office show every day. These numbers do not indicate that we have solved all the problems, but rather, we are on the right path. We will continue to work diligently to further build upon the successes we have achieved.”
Chicken Shit says
I wonder what Marc Eaton and all the Bane haters think about this. Wait Eaton is too busy telling the world that he has PTSD. It’s all about Eaton.
Boot Bane says
I would say it looks like Bane is right on track with misleading the uninformed with more stat play. If so, I am sure he will be busted soon enough, but by then his Edgewood meeting will be over and he will have danced through another show.
RealCop says
@BootBane
You are correct that it is not accurate. These are only HCSO figures not a picture of Harford County as a whole. Those numbers must not be as good if Bane is pulling this trick. He gets his guys to dump some calls and wow! Crime Drops! Don’t be fooled Harford County.
Monster says
Where are your facts?
Monster says
Where are you getting your facts? Innuendo and mud slinging is all that you Gahlerlites can manage.
Marc A Eaton says
He will give his report and his numbers. Jeff Gahler will actually take this, find the correct and true numbers and then post it. Now if it turns out Bane is right the next question on my mind is who did the real work the Bane will take the credit for. Oops is that axe grinding?
For Real says
We all know who does the real work. The deputies, troopers, officers of the municipalities do. But Bane or Gahler, any agency head is going to take credit….that’s a given man.
Stats are stats. Bane or Gahler…if someone in the hood wants to kill another, it will happen. Typically “boots on the ground” nor strategic strategies will stop this without good intelligence. It will just delay the action. The problem is not with police, the sheriff, the chief (they are normally the scapegoats). the problem is what happens in the judiciary system. When a murderer gents sentenced to 25 yrs at age 18 and only has to serve 33% of his sentence that ain’t shit. Said gangbanger is out in 8yrs with street cred and promoted to some type of imaginary Lieutenant.
Mons ter says
Marc, do you realize how stupid your statement is? How would Gahler decide if this data is accurate? The deputies are submitting the data, what is he going to do- ask them all? You can’t handle the truth.
Marc A Eaton says
Where did the numbers come from, who did the report? If you have legitimate numbers to back this up I guess we would have to accept it. So I doubt this question will get answered right?
Joppatowne Resident says
Probably from the UCR report dumbass!
Marc A Eaton says
Dear Shit Head, at one time several people began to try to put out on here why I had to retire. Then the continual mental accusations and asking me if I was taking my meds. I cleared the air on this and put out why I retired. This is not a condition that makes you crazy like many of the fake name cowards much like you try to and just make me look bad. I stand on my posts and I am consistent. I will hammer Bane until he is no longer Sheriff. I do not hate the man, I hate what he has done. I do not give a rats butt what you or any one thinks of me on here. I will not go away, so you cowards hide behind your fake names and do you best. I really do enjoy the debate with you guys.
Snail says
What has the Sheriff done that is so bad. Don’t make blanket statements without providing facts
Union Member says
It is a fact that Sheriff Bane kept a Major sitting at home and on the payroll for over 10 months during an election year while the Major was being investigated for theft at Home Depot.
It is a fact that the Major was serving in an appointed position and could have been terminated at any time the Sheriff thought he no longer needed the Majors services.
It is a fact that the Sheriff terminated this Major after 10 months of sitting at home and receiving his $107,000 salary, after the Major was caught stealing again at Home Depot.
It is a fact that the Sheriff repeatedly stated he could not terminated this Major as the Major was protected by the provisions of LEOBR. It is a fact that the Sheriff then terminated the Major after he was caught stealing for the second time, dismissing his repeated statements that he could not terminate the Major.
It is a fact that Sheriff Bane promoted a female Lieutenant to the grade of Major, skipping her past the grade of Captain, and placing her in charge of police services, a position that even Sheriff Bane soon realized she was not qualified to perform, but refusing for over three years to correct his mistake. In this election year, she has been reassigned out of police services in an attempt by Sheriff Bane to regain some credibility with the rank and file deputies.
It is a fact that Sheriff Bane refused to promote the number one deputy of the Lieutenants promotion list because this employee had supported another person in the last Sheriff’s election. Only after being advised that the employee would win in a pending lawsuit did the Sheriff promote this employee.
It is a fact that Sheriff Bane has been ordered by the court to reinstate a female Corporal who he terminated even though a disciplinary board recommended a very minor punishment for her lack of supervisory counseling of an employee under her supervision. This rebuke by the court of Bane’s action has cost the county taxpayer over one and a half years salary and benefits that must be restored to this employee.
It is a fact that nine inmates have died at the Harford County Detention Center during Sheriff Bane’s first seven years in office. Several of these inmate deaths have resulted in significant payouts by the county to settle lawsuits filed on behalf of the inmates.
It is a fact that a multi-million dollar expansion of the Detention Center has, for the most part, remained empty and unused since its completion four years ago due to Sheriff Bane not providing sufficient manning to open the expanded facility.
It is a fact that the Detention Center has gone without a Warden for almost four years even though Sheriff Bane had stated in a press release over two years ago that he was making the Warden position a top priority to fill with someone who had extensive knowledge and experience in the corrections field.
It is a fact that Sheriff Bane recently announced the hiring of Mr. Chuck Moore, a retired police Captain, to be the new Warden. Mr. Moore has zero experience in the field of corrections or the operations of a jail facility.
I could go on about many other things that Sheriff Bane has done which significantly affect personnel and policy within the Sheriff’s Office, but readers should get the point about things done by Sheriff Bane that are not good.
Knows the Real Truth says
Well @ Monster, PTBL, and others….where is your reply to these facts?
Amazing, truly amazing……need we add more? No “character assassination or mudslinging in that post……
Monster says
Knows the truth,
Every sheriff has to follow due process of law. The fact that he could replace him, didn’t mean he was guilty. On the other hand, when Golding was sheriff, did you complain when he tried to help a Deputy who was DWI? Or do you just cherry pick what you consider facts? Youy might try to answer what this thread deals with instead of trying to divert the attention. This article says it all.
Monsta says
I agree with you Union Member, Jesse Bane is a political gangsta. He will stop and nothing to win and the liberal press will blow him on the way to the bank…
Dale Neeperr says
Does that good ole boy Chuck Moore even know how to spell detention center? Isn’t Chuck one of the original Dukes of Harford? Maybe he was Enis… coocoo cachoo….
Knows the Real Truth says
Well Monster, you idiot, who’s diverting now? Who said anything about Golding and the DUI? Well Monster? Big diversion there, you jerk. Pratice what you preach…. defend the facts? you can’t. Nobody is bashing Bane, his person or personality, just his preformance. Oh BTW that Major, a really nice fellow, should have been suspended without pay for the pending charges/accusations of a felony and terminated right away as he is appointed. LEOBR protects him for brutality accusations only when appointed. He should have been gone for unbecoming conduct. Period. Sorry to say he is a very nice man, too bad he went astray.
Mons ter says
Know Nothing,
I used Golding, and only gave one example although I could have given more, of how good people can have problems with staff. I would be worried about you if you were part of my staff. That doesn’t mean anything. And I did answer your question. I will answer it again. Just because someone has the power to dismiss someone, doesn’t mean he should. You are innocent until proven guilty. What has happened to the Major? Was he dismissed? You seem to be the dumb ass. What else do you have?
Knows the Real Truth says
You really are clueless. If you’re Skippy, Meckley or even scarier the Sheriff, you should know that the theft scheme or theft itself is categorized under the Annotated Code of MD and his employment is an administrative issue. He should have been fired for conduct unbecoming once there was enough probable cause to charge him criminally. Nobody was saying anything about firing him before he was found guilty in criminal court, but his conduct. He could be fired as easy as a probationary deputy, minus the brutality clause.
I have not seen Mr Gahler, Peck or even Ryan attack Mr Bane personally. If you’re the Sheriff you should know that once someone takes public office, effectively voted in by the public is subject to public scrutiny as well as public criticism. Many of the others here do post personal attacks, feelings for the Sheriff and they are wrong. But with that said, you are just as bad diverting the questions, facts presented in posts and your name calling. You have even stoop so low to chastise posters for grammar errors or spell check goof ups.
Do us a favor, answer the facts brought to light by Union Member…..Let’s see if you can
Monster says
Know Nothing,
You wouldn’t know a fact if you tripped over it. Every time a statistic is given that supports the job that Bane has done, you Gahlerlites tell everyone that the facts are incorrect or manipulated. I will answer the question about Forwood one more time and this is the last time I will. Probable cause is not the same as a court finding someone guilty. Bane respects courts, laws and people’s procedural rights, as all who would be sheriff should. The fact that Bane had the right to fire him, does not mean that he should until a court finds him guilty. I shouldn’t have to explain this to an officer of the law. You keep trying to divert this, you show that you want a sheriff who does not value due procedure of law. You want a cowboy? Are you a cowboy? Are you judge and jury?
As far as diverting attention, look back and see the Gahlerlites who post on here and how on-topic they are with the thread. They don’t even try to stay on topic. Knows the Real Truth, post on here when you really know the truth.
Marc A Eaton says
You will never get them to answer any question. Just name calling and diversion like you said. The attack anyone who posts anything that is not in a good light for Bane. Like good minions they try to make these posters look bad thinking that all the public will believe their talking points. Truth is Bane and his minions are scared and you see this by the appointments he is making. Ask the people of Edgewood if those crime figures will make them sleep better tonight? Bane has always loved numbers. That was a great post Union Member.
Monster, why are you misspelling your name? You guys keep using the same name need to get on the same page okay. You found one thing about Golding, one thing. Yet the list for Bane goes on and on. Kinda like Owebama and his scandals. Sheriff Golding had integrity and honor and treated people with kindness. Bane lacks all three and it shows in his inability to run the Sheriff’s Office. The fact that he has his minions on here posting the way you do show this.
Union Member says
@Monster
Your post to Know Nothing, contains several errors. You seem to be convinced that Sheriff Bane didn’t terminate Major Forwood until after he had been adjudicated in court. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Sheriff Bane fired Forwood before he was tried in court. Forwood had not received the due process you seem to feel he was entitled to and you must be calling Sheriff Bane a “Cowboy” if you believe firing someone prior to their court finding makes you a Cowboy.
The articles are right here on the Dagger Press that document such actions by Bane, along with documented interviews Bane gave stating that he couldn’t fire Forwood prior to the court date. Then he up and fires Forwood after Forwood is caught stealing for the second time, but certainly prior to any court hearing. Perhaps the Dagger should republish those articles to refresh your memory.
Knows the Real Truth says
Monster, you are really warped. Simple name calling butt kissing piece of junk. Simply stated, answer the questions. Yes you Moron, we know that PC is not enough to convict, but enough to suspend LE powers and pay until the impartial investigation reveals elsewise.
Nothing about the Gahlerites as you call them, nothing else said on the post…. answer the other facts.
You rag on Marc Eaton about meds, maybe you should seek some professional help for yourself and your delusional statements…
We can’t wait until you go away… and yes that was a statement directed toward you not the Sheriff….He would be wise to distance himself from you….
Hey you idiot, he should have been fired for conduct unbecoming a deputy….not the alleged theft, and something like what you should be fired for… incompetence.
Know the Real Truth says
Monster, you are really warped, and a simple name calling idiot who can’t recall all your lies and rags on other people. Did your parents have any kids that lived and aren’t as vile as you? Yes I have dropped to your level; maybe you’ll understand this plain language. We doubt it.
Simply stated, answer the questions. Yes you Moron, we know that PC is not enough to convict, but enough to suspend LE powers and pay until the impartial investigation reveals elsewise. Did you ever make an arrest without help from anyone else? Again we doubt it.
Nothing about the Gahlerites as you call them, nothing else said on the post by Union Member…. answer the other facts.
You rag on Marc Eaton about meds, maybe you should seek some professional help for yourself and your delusional statements…
We can’t wait until you go away… and yes that was a statement directed toward you not the Sheriff….He would be wise to distance himself from you….
Hey you idiot, he should have been fired for conduct unbecoming a deputy….not the alleged theft, and something like what you should be fired for… incompetence.
Mike Welsh says
Just for the record, Major Forwood was fired by Sheriff Bane on November 30, 2010.
Forwood pled guilty in court on Jan 31, 2011, some two months after he was fired.
Forwood was sentenced to 6 years in jail, with all but 18 months suspended, on Feb 2, 2011.
These are also facts that can’t be disputed. Records exist documenting each of these events.
Monster is obviously having memory issues regarding this issue.
dcfattboy says
simple. all you have to do is live in an area where effective law enforcement is needed, and you will see Bane has done nothing to make the streets safer. you don’t even need a sheriff’s deputy in Jarrettsville; just look at the criminal element operating right under the nose of the new precinct station and you can see the failure of Bane’s office. good men and women in the deputy are doing their best; now if we only had a capable sheriff at the top to utilize that talent. but the ol’ dog is way past his prime, the county and it’s law enforcement challenges have left Bane scratching his head, and the department needs more than just a gatekeeper for Fallston.
Monster says
What do the facts say, fatboy?
Mons ter says
Marc,
Thank you. Keep posting on here, please. You do more than anyone to campaign for Bane. Thanks, you wise devil.
Discount Doooooooooooooblecheck says
We all know Lionel spins his numbers to make himself look good. Numbers lie and so does he.
Monster says
Discount Doooo, Even what facts are presented you ignore them for your spin on everything. You are disgraceful.
Knows the truth says
Everyone knows that statistics can be manipulated for any political purpose. All of us who have worked for Bane know he will misrepresent just about anything for political reasons and will lie to his employees as well as the public! Ask the hard working good people in Edgewood how safe they feel walking down their streets??
Monster says
Know the truth, if the facts are manipulated as you claim, then what do we use for facts? Your say so? You guys yell about Bane not showing facts, here they are and you still won’t accept them. Go away.
frankly speaking says
who compiled the data? State Police, Sheriff or FBI. I would like to know more about the methodology to arrive at such figures. For example, are the numbers for auto theft verified through an independent source such as auto insurance claims. To post numbers without a source or method of collection is a little bit self-serving. The numbers for auto theft seem a bit low. Are bank robberies included under theft or burglary? I swear that I hear about a bank heist just about every week and it do the numbers include ‘white collar” crime such as fraud, lifting credit card numbers with a reader strip and inside the house thefts at local businesses? The data seems low on most fronts other than murder, since it is pretty hard to fudge that amount..
John Wayne says
When deputies write reports, there are many fields that need to be filled out and this is where they get their UCR stats from. There is no need for independent verification. If an auto was stolen, the deputy does a report and fills the field that says Auto Theft. And Robbery includes bank robberies. And theft would include white collar crime. These are very broad terms and a lot can fall under them. I’m sure you can request a full list of stats that include how many embezzlement cases, credit card thefts, etc.
dcfattboy says
terribly wrong; the Balto City Police were caught red-handed by the FBI cooking the books on rape cases in Balto and had to sign a consent decree to change the way they reported the facts. EVERY govt agency will lie if it is in their best interest; the fact remains it is dangerous in the Joppa-Edgewood corridor and almost eight years of Bane’s administration have been sadly ineffective. measure the success of law enforcement not in the rolling hills of northern Harford County, but in the level of safety in the mean streets of the southern county.
Mons ter says
DCFATBOY, are you accusing Bane of fraudulent record keeping. This isn’t an essay question, please respond yes or no.
Mons ter says
There’s only need for verification if you are trying to spin a story that Bane is not a good Sheriff. Guess what, he is a good sheriff and does it while respecting the rights of citizens which he expects his deputies to follow. A handful of them get upset by this, they think they are the judge and jury. They would like to have Doc Holiday or Wyatt Earp as their sheriff.
reader says
I find this site entertaining some times, and disgusting at others. Every post dealing with crime brings in the politics of the Sheriff’s Office. The candidates stay out of it, but the supporters get crazy. They need to take some time and realize that voters, not them, will choose the Sheriff. They also need to realize that some of them turn off people to whom they support with their answers to one another, and some of the the statements they think are important. Politics is an important part of a democracy, but let’s use some sense and responsibility in what we post.
174 says
To Reader
You read my mind. This Eaton character needs help.
Marc A Eaton says
Thank you for your concern, I mean that.
elvis says
Not bad for Deputies who haven’t had a pay increase in almost 8 years.
Snail says
If you are unhappy then find employment elsewhere
torn says
How about you troll elsewhere, stop the petty bickering.
Republicans For Bane says
Keep up the good work!
Democrats for Gahler says
Time for Bane to retire. Go Gahler!
Correct me if I'm wrong says
It’s only Jan-June numbers. Wait until the dog days of summer. Not only that, but the incidents are so few that the percentages are totally meaningless. They are not worth commenting about, really.
Correct me if I'm wrong says
Oh, and we had a very, very bad winter. So bad (how bad was it?)… even the Chicago crime stats show improvement. I do notice that a Bane fan had to thumbs down me.
Let’s face it, even the predators were huddled down in January.
Knows the Real Truth says
Well Monster, you idiot, who’s diverting now? Who said anything about Golding and the DUI? Well Monster? Big diversion there, you jerk. Pratice what you preach…. defend the facts? you can’t. Nobody is bashing Bane, his person or personality, just his preformance. Oh BTW that Major, a really nice fellow, should have been suspended without pay for the pending charges/accusations of a felony and terminated right away as he is appointed. LEOBR protects him for brutality accusations only when appointed. He should have been gone for unbecoming conduct. Period. Sorry to say he is a very nice man, too bad he went astray.
Marc A Eaton says
Knows the Real Truth, calling names on here is saved for the liberals and Bane supporters.
Concerned Teacher says
Gotta call BS on that one. I will vote for Gahler over Bane in the election, but even I can recognize your partisan crap. There have been plenty of Gahler supporters and/or conservatives who have been name callers in every single disagreement that is covered on this website. You can drop the “I am better than you” nonsense. It’s a lie.
Agent says
I am currently neutral in this election for Sheriff, but these Gahler posters are rude, bullies, and say things that are outrageous. No wonder they don’t put their names on here, they would be sued. Mr. Gahler, if you want my vote, get a new group of posters. Actually, I don’t use this site to make up my mind.
Marc A Eaton says
You are right. Thank goodness none of the Bane supporters are rude, bullies and say things that are outrageous. All of his supporters use their real names on here. Another new name for one of the Bane posters. You won’t use this site to make up your mind but I guess you assume everyone else will right? Gotta give it to you guys, you will try anything.
Steve Badeway says
I am for Bane all the way.
Cash for Dunkers says
I see the same 4, or 5 people are posting.
Begone says
It makes me ill.
Marc A Eaton says
Did he say Mr. Madison or Sheriff Bane, this could fit him to.
Concerned Teacher says
I thought only Bane supporters were name callers.
142andover says
Why all of the concern over a major who stole. He was punished, why is this a big issue? Every administrator has people who misbehave at times. If they are punished, what is the big deal?
Union Member says
The issue is not whether the Major was punished or not. The issue is the 10 months he was allowed to sit at home doing nothing while drawing his $107,000.00 salary and benefits before he was fired.
The second issue is Sheriff Bane misleading the citizens of Harford County to believe that he could not fire the Major until the Major had his day in court. That was not true and later, after the Major had stolen again from the Home Depot, the Sheriff fired him before he had his day in court.
Both of the above issues relate to the integrity of the Sheriff.
142andover says
Thank you, Union Member. I see your point, but I don’t see this as a big of an issue when we are worried about crime control. That is the issue that I think is most important.
Union Member says
If you don’t believe the integrity of our highest law enforcement official in the county to be important, then there is not much for us to talk about.
For me, it is very important that our law enforcement officers, to include the Sheriff, be truthful.
Just the Facts Mamm says
Do a search on Fred Visnaw and you’ll understand why it is important for a Sheriff to show integrity.
Marc A Eaton says
We have felonies and misdemeanors in Maryland. Some deputies do silly little things that are rule violations then we have a Major who commits felonies. That is what the difference is.
Al from Elkton says
Marc don’t you also have your current union president that was demoted? What exactly did he do Marc, care to share?
Marc A Eaton says
Forged another supervisors signature on a leave slip, and ethics violation. Fully acceptable behavior under Bane.
Superior says
Mr. Eaton, do you consider your post a suitable answer?
Marc A Eaton says
What more do you want?
Marc A Eaton says
Fred Visnaw who I do not consider a friend was caught doing something that had been going on for years and probably still does. I have always wondered why he was singled out for this. Hell, we had one deputy who had a key to a gated area of a tow yard where he would go in and sleep at night.
Superior says
Mr. Eaton, to whom did you report this?
Marc A Eaton says
Supervisors knew it, some parked there two. How do you report something everyone knows is going on? It was being done in 1982 and still was going on in 2002. Probably still is.
Know the Real Truth says
Yes Marc, guys slept, but most didn’t falsely call in responding to, arriving at, handling calls and then call in a disposition, all without moving an inch. Then to lie about it….. that compounded his uselessness.
Marc A Eaton says
You are right.