North Harford Burglary/Theft Suspect Captured

(Harford County, MD – November 20, 2008) – Harford County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested Timothy James Saxon, 28, of Graystone Road, Whitehall, MD in connection with several burglaries occurring throughout Northern Harford County.

Between October 19th and October 27th 2008, the Sheriff’s Office received several reports for thefts from vehicles and garages in the area of Baldwin, Fallston, and Jarrettsville. There are well over thirty related incidents with the majority of the thefts occurring from unlocked or open vehicles and garages.

Four Baltimore Raven’s football tickets taken from a vehicle in the 2800 block of Glen Elyn Way, Baldwin, MD led deputies to two possible suspects. Deputies located two individuals, not the suspects, whohad purchased the tickets, and recovered these tickets at M & T Stadium on Sunday October 26, 2008.

Through the investigation and witness statements obtained by the Northern Precinct Investigation Unit, deputies determined Saxon was involved in the thefts and burglaries. Approximately $50,000.00 of electronics and other equipment stolen during the thefts and burglaries have been recovered.

Saxon was charged on October 28, 2008 with several counts of theft over $500.00, several counts of theft under $500.00, entering a vehicle with the intent to commit a theft from within the vehicle, and using a credit card to commit fraudulent charges. Saxon is currently being held on $20,000.00 bond at the Harford County Detention Center.

As the investigation continues, deputies expect to charge a second suspect involved in the incidents and additional charges may be pending against Saxon. Several items recovered, however have not been claimed, include: iPods, power tools, car stereos, electronics, and climbing equipment. If you have had items stolen and believe it may be related to these thefts, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Northern Precinct Investigative Unit at 410-692-7862.

The Sheriff’s Office encourages the community to be aware of their surroundings and immediately report suspicious incidents, persons, or vehicles.

Citizens can reduce the opportunity for burglary, either to a home or vehicle, by following these simple measures:

- lock all doors and windows, to both your vehicle and home;

- maintain proper control over your house keys and garage door openers;

- utilize proper security lighting;

- trim bushes and trees away from windows and doors;

- add an audible alarm to your vehicle; and,

- when possible, park your vehicle in the driveway or in a well lit area.

Sheriff’s Office Tips For Preventing Theft From Motor Vehicles This Winter

(Harford County, MD, November 20, 2008) – Vehicle thefts often increase during the colder months. Many of these thefts occur when cars are parked but left running in driveways or at convenience stores. In addition, thefts from vehicles have increased over the past year. Many of these thefts occur when cars are parked in driveways or along neighborhood streets.

The popularity of GPS, radar detectors, cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices often attract thieves. Teenagers as well as adults often commit these crimes in residential areas, walking from vehicle to vehicle, lifting door handles to see if they can find one unlocked and/or running.

“These circumstances are categorized as crimes of opportunity because unless the opportunity presents itself, the perpetrators usually do notcommit the crime,” said Sgt. Kevin Thomas, supervisor of the Community Policing Unit.

The opportunity arises when vehicles are left unsecured, running, and items of value are left in the vehicle. When the perpetrators find an unlocked vehicle, they will open the door and take whatever is easily removable from the vehicle.

The Sheriff’s Office offers the following tips to reduce the risk of being a victim of theft from your car.

- Always turn your car off when not occupied. Maryland Vehicle Law section 21-1101 prohibits the following: “…a person driving or otherwise in charge of a motor vehicle may not leave it unattended until the engine is stopped, the ignition locked, the key removed, and the brake effectively set.” Violation of this statute may result in a fine of $70.00 or more.

- Always lock your vehicle when it is parked. Criminals prey on the easy victim. By simply locking your vehicle the criminal will usually move on.

- Hide or take it with you. Do not leave purses, wallets, or loose money in your vehicle. If your purse or wallet is taken you could become the victim of other crimes such as stolen checks, credit cards, or even identity theft. Electronics and their accessories including cell phone holders, suction cups,power cords, etc., should be placed out of site, when you are not in your car.

- Park your vehicle in your driveway or garage when possible. If you have a garage or access to a garage, use it and lock it. If you have an attached garage make sure the door between the house and garage is always locked. If your garage door opener is stolen from your vehicle, you risk giving the criminal access to your entire home.

- Park in a well lit area. Lighting is a deterrent. If a thief has to work in the light, the greater the chance he/she will be caught.

Consider starting or actively participating in a Neighborhood Watch Program. Neighborhood Watch is designed to reduce criminal opportunity and prevent crime through awareness, education, and cooperation between the community and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. To learn more about Neighborhood Watch, contact the Harford County Sheriff’s OfficeCommunity Policing Unit at neighborhoodwatch@harfordsheriff.org.

Harford County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Take On The Boy Scouts

Come Enjoy the Fall Ball Classic

When: Sunday, November 23, 2008

Where: Patterson Mill High School

Who: Harford County Sheriff’s Office Deputies vs. The Boy Scouts of America

When: Gates Open at 2:30pm
Pregame starts at 3:00pm

Cost: $ 4.00 Youth (18 or younger)
$ 6.00 Adults

Tickets available at the gate, or in advance at the Harford County Sheriff’s Office through Linda Thompson, Office of the Sheriff, 410-836-5444.

County Executive Craig Announces Formation Of Youth Commission

(Bel Air, MD – November 18, 2008) - - Harford County Executive David R. Craig today announced plans for the re-establishment of a Youth Commission. A bill to repeal and reenact with amendments Chapter 9 of the Harford County Code to establish a Youth Commission was introduced by County Council President Billy Boniface on October 21, 2008.

The re-establishment of the youth commission follows a recent series of meetings coordinated by the YMCA of Harford County that brought youth program providers and organizers together to discuss the state of Harford County’s Youth.

The proposed Harford County Youth Commission will be comprised of 21 members appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. Members of the Commission shall include the Sheriff of Harford County or his designee; a representative from the Board of Education; a representative from the Harford County Department of Community Services, Office of Drug Control Policy; a representative from the Harford County Local Management Board; twelve members who represent organizations that provide youth services or programs oriented to Harford County’s youth; six representatives who are county residents under 18 years of age, one from each of the County Council districts and one citizen representative.

Commenting on the reestablishment of the Harford County Youth Commission, County Executive Craig stated, “The reestablishment of our Youth Commission is vital to our success in providing resources and smart choices for today’s youth. Our youth is our most valuable resource, we must ensure that they are presented with opportunities to excel and grow.” Craig remarked.

The Youth Commission will help advise the County Executive and other county officials on the overall status of Harford County’s youth population, and make recommendations on how the county can better provide for youth needs.

The purpose of the Youth Commission includes, but is not limited to the following:

- To stimulate the full development of the present county youth organizations, programs and facilities.

- To identify the needs of our youth and present them with opportunities and alternatives which may have a positive impact on their lives.

- To design programs and activities through community organizations, local schools and county government that encourages parents and families to engage in the lives of their youth on a daily basis.

- To advise local and county officials as to matters relating to youth.

The Youth Commission will also apply for grants from the state, county or federal government, as well as outside foundations and other entities allowed by law to support their mission and purpose.

Among the county officials supporting the reestablishment of the Harford County Youth Commission are the Honorable Mimi Raffel Cooper, Harford County State’s Attorney Joseph Cassilly, Harford County Sheriff L. Jesse Bane, members of the Harford County Council and members of the business community.

Harford County Government Receives Budget Award

(Bel Air, MD – November 18, 2008) - - The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has announced that Harford County Government has received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget. The award represents significant achievement by Harford County in meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

To receive the award, Harford County Government had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The established guidelines are designed to assess how well the budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operational guide and communication tool.

In order to qualify for the award, the county’s budget documents were rated proficient in each category.

A Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation was awarded by the GFOA to the Harford County Office of Budget and Management Research for their work in preparing the county budget documents.

The Government Finance Officers Association is a nonprofit professional association serving 17,500 government finance professionals throughout North America. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards initiative in governmental budgeting. Recipients of the award have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide exemplary standards for governmental entities to follow.

Commenting on receiving the award, Harford County Executive David R. Craig stated, “The Office of Budget and Management Research, under the direction of Kim Spence, continues to do an excellent job in preparing and managing the county’s annual budget document. We are grateful for this award and especially to be recognized by such a prestigious organization.”

Delegate Wayne Norman to Introduce Tough New Hit-and-Run Legislation

Harford County Delegate Wayne Norman (District 35-A) announced today that he will introduce legislation to update and strengthen Maryland’s motor vehicle laws with respect to hit-and-run driving offenses.

The legislation, which will be formally introduced when the General Assembly reconvenes in January, will significantly increase the criminal and administrative penalties for drivers who leave accident scenes without stopping or rendering aid.

Delegate Norman’s effort to crack down on hit-and-run offenses is in response to last week’s deadly crash in Bel Air, caused by a driver who only hours before his Bel Air crash was cited by police for leaving the scene of a serious accident in Joppa. In the Joppa accident, the driver allegedly crossed the center line and hit an oncoming car carrying several children. The children were later taken to the hospital for medical evaluation. As reported in the media, the driver responsible for both accidents has a lengthily record littered with various driving and criminal offenses.

“Clearly, this driver had no business being behind the wheel following his hit-and-run offense in Joppa,” said Delegate Norman. “However, after examining Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Law, I now realize how relatively weak the current law is when it comes to most hit-and-run offenses. The law needs to be strengthened to reflect the seriousness and coldness of a driver who leaves the scene of an accident without assisting the victim or reporting the accident.”

Under Delegate Norman’s bill, hit-and-run situations that involve children or result in significant damage to a vehicle or other property will now be treated as a much more serious offense than under current law, subjecting the offender to fines and imprisonment six-times greater than the maximum penalty allowed today. The penalties for most other hit-and-run offenses will be increased, as well.

“Today, only hit-and-run violations that result in death or a serious physical injury subject an offender to tough repercussions,” Delegate Norman said. “That has to change.”

In addition to increasing both the minimum and maximum prison sentences for serious hit-and-run offenses, the legislation would increase the administrative penalties for drivers who leave an accident scene without stopping or rendering aid.

Under the legislation, leaving the scene of an accident without stopping or rendering aid will result in the immediate suspension of the offender’s driver’s license in situations when the accident results in death, bodily harm, or significant vehicular or other property damage. Moreover, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration will be required to further suspend or completely revoke the offender’s driver’s license following conviction, depending on the severity of the accident and the offender’s past driving record.

Delegate Norman, a Republican, stated that it his intention to introduce a bi-partisan bill that will include several Democratic and Republican co-sponsors.

Delegate Norman was one of several Harford County public officials who wrote to the Governor and Maryland Transportation Secretary John Porcari requesting the construction of a barrier wall along a dangerous stretch of the U.S. Rt. 1 Bypass in Bel Air, the site of the horrendous accident that took the lives of a young mother and her son.

Edgewood Community Tree Lighting And Holiday Celebration Set For Dec. 2

(Bel Air, MD – November 17, 2008) - - The Edgewood Alliance kicks off the holiday season with Edgewood’s official holiday tree lighting ceremony. The event will be held at the Edgewood Farmers Market Pole Barn, adjacent to the Edgewood MARC train station, at 2127 Old Edgewood Road on Tuesday, December 2, from 6: 00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The evening is an opportunity for people of all ages to come together with the community and to celebrate the magic of the holiday season. Highlights will include musical selections, entertainment, caroling and a visit from SANTA!

The event is free and open to the public.

Sponsors of the event include the Harford County Department of Community Services, Harford County Public Library, Extreme Family Outreach, Custom Direct, M & T Bank, Clarence’s Taste of New Orleans Restaurant, and Hess Hotels Group.

For more information contact the Edgewood Alliance at edgewoodalliance@yahoo.com or call 410-893-4435.

The Edgewood Alliance held their first meeting on May 10, 2007, and are dedicated to community involvement and committed to reinventing the Route 40 Corridor.

“On The Move…Riding With Harford Transit” Meeting Set For Nov. 25 in Aberdeen

(Bel Air, MD – November 14, 2008) - - The Harford County Transportation Association meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, 2008 will offer a unique travel training session, “On the Move…Riding with Harford Transit.” Harford County employers from both the public and private sectors, whose employees access public transit, will benefit from attending this session. The meeting will take place from 9:00– 10:30 AM in Room 130 of the Higher Education and Applied Technology (HEAT) Center, 1201 Technology Drive in Aberdeen.

For the first time, Harford County employers can take advantage of Harford Transit services by understanding how to read the new schedules and how to plan trips. This practical and readily usable information can be applied immediately at the worksite to assist those employees who use public transportation to get to and from their workplace. Attendees will learn how to use Harford Transit efficiently and effectively.

Members of the Transportation Management Association are advocates for convenient, effective and efficient transportation to meet the needs of Harford County citizens, businesses, and government. For more information, contact Pat Fielder, Harford County Department of Community Services’ Rideshare Coordinator, at 40-638-3069.

Second Arrest Made In Havre de Grace Homicide Investigation

On October 8, 2008 at 10:55 pm the Havre de Grace Police Department received a call to investigate a report of a person lying in a private yard in the 100 block of Bloomsbury Avenue here in Havre de Grace.

Police located an African American male unresponsive and suffering from a wound to his neck, at that location. Paramedics arrived and the victim was pronounced deceased at 11:06 pm.

Crime Lab Personnel from the Aberdeen Police Department responded to assist in process the scene. A knife has been recovered and is being held for further forensic testing.

The victim has been identified as Christopher Adam Fisher, age 25 of Edgewood, Maryland.

Mr. Fisher died as the result of a homicide.

On October 9, 2008 members of the Havre de Grace Police Department Criminal Investigation Division arrested and charged an individual in the homicide of Christopher Adam Fisher.

Charged with 1st and 2nd degree murder, manslaughter and 1st degree assault is Johnny R. Serrano, age 19. He was initially arrested in the 3700 block of Rock Run Road, Havre de Grace, at his residence, for an unrelated outstanding fugitive warrant from Florida. After a short period of time, while in custody, he was charged in the death of Christopher Fisher, at the Havre de Grace Police Department.

On November 14, 2008, a second person was charged in connection with the death of Christopher Fisher. Danielle Nichole Totoro, age 24, of the 100 block of O’Neal Court, Havre de Grace, Maryland.

The defendant in this matter has been charged with Murder 1st Degree, Accessory after the Fact, Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotic, CDS Possess Not Marijuana and several other Controlled Substance violations. She was served at the Harford County Detention Center where she has been incarcerated since November 6, 2008 on CDS charges stemming from the homicide investigation of Mr. Fisher.

Appalachian Ballet: Struggle To Walk, Can’t Wait To Dance

Redefining Friday nights and honest to God entertainment word of mouth let me know of a place where blue grass music reigned supreme and folks who played it came from far and wide…and as they played others joined in the dance…a dance I call Appalachian Ballet.

Years and years ago a lady name of Hazel Ellis told me she clogged with a bunch of ‘gooders’ and how much fun they had. They were the Silver Eagle Cloggers Continue reading Appalachian Ballet: Struggle To Walk, Can’t Wait To Dance

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