From the Harford County Sheriff’s Office:
On Thursday, July 29, 2010, Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police working cooperatively launched a focused patrol effort in the Edgewood neighborhoods of Harford Square and Windsor Valley, an epicenter of recent activities. This effort is directed at addressing recent crime trends reported in those communities during the month of July.
The purpose of this focused patrol effort is to remind the community that their law enforcement partners are working diligently to keep their community safe, while serving as a reinforcement message to the criminal element in that area that their actions will not be tolerated. “Local law enforcement has worked very hard to restore calm to the Edgewood community over the past three years. We are not going to let the recent flurry of criminal activity diminish the effect that our enforcement efforts have had. You can expect us to intensify our efforts to ensure that the citizens of Edgewood can live in their community without fear of the criminal element,” stated Sheriff L. Jesse Bane.
As of Sunday, August 1, 2010, Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police’s combined efforts reported that in a four-day period over 50 traffic citations were issued, 31 community action requests were written, and two illegal handguns were recovered. In addition, several arrests were made for a variety of charges to include CDS possession, driving while under the influence, theft, handgun violations and assorted outstanding warrants.
Employing a series of proven law enforcement strategies and techniques, this intensified operational detail serves to strengthen basic patrol efforts already conducted throughout Harford County by local law enforcement on a regular basis. “Be advised, this is not a temporary measure. This is part of a long-term plan. A continuation of Harford County Sheriff’s Office existing efforts, intensified to address recent crime trend data,” stated Bane. “You can expect to see results in this community; we are here to get the job done.”
When Jim Harkins was county executive move to opportunity was on the move. We complained back then in town hall meetings that things were going down hill. He said something about the hard working families in the mto areas and basically did nothing. As it turns out he was bailing on Harford County anyway. MTO opened the door and section 8 housing was widened. I’m not sure if our top brass law enforcement and our other top county brass understand the urban scene in what used to be called Meadowood, Courts of Harford Square, Harford Square, and Edgewater Village. Baltimore PD can’t beat the drug crime and I’m afraid Jesse or any of his political opponenets – who basically all look the same – won’t be able to beat the drugs and crime of south county. It may sound heartless but you gotta get rid of low income housing in the county to take away the launching pads for drug/gang crime.
I agree 100%. You can build up Edgewood with million dollar houses and surround Harford Square with police, but as long as there is section 8, and as long as Baltimore continues its revival, crime will be pushed to the counties that provide those people easy transportation into the city. I grew up in Owings Mills and Pikesville and I saw what the metro brought to Owings Mills. Harford County politicians needs to find investors and buy up those section 8 eye sores in Harford Square and make them something better.
Bel Air Fed I agree. low income houseing is a breeding ground for crime. election time jesse has decided to do some thing.
So with that said Does Jesse decide about who builds where?
CDEV put your liberal beliefs aside. Jesse Bane is in over his head – He has increased the Sheriff’s Budget to $63 Million. He has lost control of the streets. You can’t say yes to everyone and be an effective leader.
Enough of the nice guy – lets get someone in office with some balls!
Fine but you can not say that Bane brought the crime here. The crime was here before Bane. I think the fact that it is not being glossed over and we are forced to confront it is a big step. Is Bane perfect…No but has he taken steps in the right direction. By the way the Sheriff does not increase the budget the Council and County Exec do that. He simply directs it and spends it.
CDEV – You need to check your facts. You have a history of posting incorrect information. Jesse Bane and his Command Staff are directly responsible for increasing the budget. Bane has asked for spending increases and Craig foolishly granted all of them. That is how the Harford County budget process has worked. Tax and Spend.
Yes but who has the ultimate power to say yes or no? Craig and the council. They decide the final budget numbers for schools and police. Bane can request all he wants but he does not decide if he gets it.
You are talking semantics CDev. Yes, technically speaking Craig and the Council increase the budget, but the Sheriff submits to the Exec and Council how much money his agency needs, which is always an increase, and his buddy Craig rubber stamps it.
I live right at the Intersection of Rt 24 & Trimble Road. Sirens are regular symphony for me & my Family. For the two years I have been at this Location … I hear “shots” coming that area. My new Community is right in the middle of this “War Zone”. Though these Issues have not bled into my Community … I do not plan to allow it.
The areas in Edgewood and around the county need to have consistent police patrols, as well as a visible presence within the communities. The areas mentioned, do house sec. 8 properties. The tenants that live in the areas need to become active w/n their families first, and then w/n the community. I strongly oppose more sec. 8 housing w/n the county for many reasons, but the primary reason is the costs imposed on working taxpayers. Our taxes pay for folks to get more stuff…with less work.
The number of agencies w/n the county that offer services to low income folks is high. The services provided include food stamps, housing vouchers, utility help(bge services), medical, transportation, education, (grants, scholarships,loans), and many more state,federally and county funded services. These services were meant to be a hand up for those in need but have become life long expectations. The number of non-working folks increases with the number of folks receiving handouts…how many young folks give up looking for work and spend the day ‘hanging’ and watching tv, sleeping or doing non-productive stuff? I am concerned by the total lack of initiative among many young folks that live in our county. It appears that it is is easier to sponge off family and friends than to start one’s own adventure. Part of that is the number of rules and regs. placed on citizens, but part of it is the lack of need to depend on ones own initiative. The senior folks I spend time with tell me that they would gather cans and bottles for $ when they were young, cut grass, paint or try new adventures. Maybe we need to turn off the tv’s a games and send our kids out into the world to explore…
Edgewood needs to incorporate. I know it was attempted before, but it is high time that the people of Edgewood start putting some dollars behind the rhetoric. If you want a higher standard of living, you must not only demand it, you need to start coming out of your own pockets to do so. Those of us that live in Harford’s 3 incorporated areas enjoy lower crime and better services BECAUSE WE PAY FOR IT! We have less discretionary money because we pay higher taxes, but we enjoy many town services. What most people don’t get, is that we pay for our own town police as well as HCSD to patrol your area. We are essentially paying double for law enforcement. The entire rest of the county is subsidizing your town. Time to pony-up Edgewood.
Native,
I am for incorporation but I believe last time Edgewood tried there was a wave of campaign support claiming higher taxes. Bottom line you have to pay for the services that you would enjoy in the face of public safety. If property taxes go up and crime goes down that’s just how it works. Nothing is free, I think it would be interesting to see if this gets tabled again for discussion at the community and county level. You can’t have services for free and I’ll gladly pay more taxes for viisible services that are being provided in the way of law enforcement and/or civic institutions. Again I believe last time this was brought up though there were some outside interest shaking up the “higher taxes” and “it won’t work” boat. I believe there’s an old video recording of the proceedings, before Harford County Council, also as there were hired researchers who provided supporting data for Edgewood incorporating. I don’t think it was the residents as much as other interest that shot that down. Basically Edgewooods pot of property tax wouldn’t necessarily be feeding into the unincorporated parts of Harford County anymore…but worth a look and some research if anyone can dig up those recordings. I know its out there…I saw it when I first moved here and the issue was brought forth.
Botom line, WE, the Harford County Taxpayers, pay for Edgewood. There is no way they could afford the extra taxes it would take to incorporate. If they could afford it, they would move out of that area. Start making those receiving our monies as handouts become accountable. Make them take a urine test on “payday”, take away the “Independence” or should we say “Dependence” card spending on all but necessary food items. There are plenty of jobs these people could work in the community to subsidize the handouts. I work 2 and sometimetimes 3 jobs, one of them is for the County Gov’t.
While I like your ideals about the drug test for welfare, that is much less realistic than incorporation. Incorporation would indeed need seed money from the county, state, and fed, but it would be an actual investment to the communities. Edgewood is already hemorrhaging money that comes from the other levels. Once incorporation happens, property taxes and income taxes will go up in Edgewood, they will go up in order to provide the services that hard working folk need and deserve, while lessening the burden on the rest of the county, state, and fed. It does not matter what the income level in Edgewood is right now, I’m not suggesting to turn it into Beverly Hills, it does however need to start taking care of itself. As a resident of another town in Harford County that pays amongst the highest tax rates in the region, I am dam tired of watching a portion of that go to a city that has no fiscal responsibity for itself. I pay higher taxes to live in a lower crime rate area; maybe a good bit of the folk of Edgewood would actually choose an increase in their taxes for a similar quality of life. Edgewood has city type crime, it needs a city police force, with a city government, and city taxes. Incorporation is realistic; it is entirely possible, economically feasable, and a huge part of a long term solution.
Sorry you have to work 2 or 3 jobs to “pay for me” but guess what?!?!? I live in Edgewood, I have a full time career (just one) that directly supports and helps ALL people of Harford County. If higher taxes is what we need then I am happy to pay. Thankfully my neighborhood has not fallen to urban decay and I will not let it. I have good neighbors here and I will fight to keep it that way if I have to single handedly start taking dirt bags out myself. I won’t move out of the area because it’s a convenient location. I do agree that there needs to be an overhaul of the way welfare benefits are distributed. I also do not want anymore section 8 housing around. I completely support reform for the distribution of welfare benefits and I believe there should be a limit in amount and length of benefit but there are also some who are truly in a bad situation. I would be happy to pay for education and other tools to help these people develope skills to get out of their situation. I would also be happy to pay for more cops. Hell, I’ll fund a damn community watch if it will keep my neighborhood safe. I hear gun shots and sirens daily but I won’t leave. If all the decent, hard working people leave then the bad guys win and we lose. Please realize however, that you and the rest of Harford county are not “paying” for me and my family to be here. I’m paying!
I second that Edgewood Resident…’Crimebuster’ show me how you pay for Edgewood Please more than any other person here please, last time I checked I got a property tax bill as well. My neighborhood is also a hardworking and safe neighborhood, but you know what, we look out for one another and if somethings not right then it gets looked into. When you get a chance native show me those great stats on how you pay for Edgewood compared to what I pay or any other hardworking person for that matter.
http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/Budget/Download/1456.pdf
To play devils advocate though I went ahead and looked up the county budget for 2011. It looks as if the county receives 7,500,000, yup thats not a typo, with a “0” county Match (crimebuster) (pg 548, Grants/Housing) and it is set as recurring with an expiration of 3/31/2011. Does this mean the county will look at the numbers prior to 3/31/2011 or just go ahead and keep this going without looking at reform or stricter management of the grant itself…that I beg is a question I hope someone can answer. The back-end comes with the taxdollars being paid for Sheriffs offices responses and cameras being utilized in hot zones. That is a cost, but everyone pays my friend and fellow tax paying citizen. Take a look at the budget though and you’ll find some interesting things.
Jesse Bane and his $63 Million Budget and he is losing control of his deputies and the County. Taxpayers – please wake up!
This is a problem that should have been addressed years ago. Lived in Seven Oaks for a couple of years back in the 90’s and now live in ABINGDON. My brother owns property in Harford square.This is the chicken and the Egg problem. All the BRAC dollars in the world is not going to change the fact that low income housing is here to stay. Like it or not. Incorporating a area = higher taxes not going to happen. Involvement and education are the proven ways up and out. they are tearing down the old army housing and there is always the case of not in my back yard. the 3 cities in the county also enjoy some of the highest taxes in the state. Do you think the area of Edgewood could afford this? Using your logic just have the post buy up to the rt 40 corridor.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Do you think Edgewood can afford to NOT do something? Do you think the rest of the county should continue to subsidize “Little B-more”? If the folks of Edgewood want better policing, they need to be willing to pay for it! If you clean it up, more jobs will come, more jobs = more tax money, more policing and other services. Yes, education and involvement, but who’s paying for it? You can’t jump up and down and demand services if you are not willing to pay for them. Pony-up.
Please refer to my reply to post 5.1.1. I’m not going to repeat myself.
Hey wait a minute I am kinda of upset. NO one has put blamed on the most important people that have caused this problem in Edgewood just like all the other problems in America are their fault. THE POOOOOLICEEES. They get blamed for everything else why not THIS. ARE U WITH ME!!! COME ON EVERYONE, F*** THE POLICE!!!!!
Heck with the PPOOOOLLLIICCCEEEESS where are Blue and Retired Guy so they can tell us how only their guy can fix the problems?
Ok William, you asked for it, here I am. I don’t think “my guy” or any of the “other guys” would have 3 corporals and 3 sergeants supervising 7 deputies on the 4 pm-midnight shift in the upper end of the county out of the Northern Precinct when the manpower is needed in Edgewood. There is so much wrong with this that I don’t even know where to start. This is what “your guy” is doing with the millions of dollars in his budget. Want some more? Just ask again.
Wow, an educated person I see. Obviously one without the balls to work on the streets of Edgewood like the police and sheriff’s that are to keep the likes of your uneducated ass safe. Face it, the people that are getting shot are the ones that live the lifestyle that eventually leads to an untimely violent death anyway. Save the tax money, pull the police and sheriff’s out and let the citizens live in the warzone. Better yet, gather up all the thugs, let them take their illegal weapons, and ship them to Iraq. See if they can fight for the freedom they enjoy! Doubt their sideways aiming technique will be effective, they cant seem to hit what they aim at here!
“…restore calm in the street.” I have lived in this county and on this rt 40 corridor for 35 years and the crime and violence just keeps getting worse. Bane with his bloated budget needs to bring the force necessary to the Edgewood area. He, Bane, needs to don a vest and walk the meanest streets in all hours of the day and night with a squad of cops that don’t write seatbelt tickets or rescue cats from trees. He needs to walk with ass kicking cops that will bring the fight to the bad guys and make Edgewood a bad place for them to do their business. Chicken dinners and kum by ya sing alongs, although a favorite of Jesse’s, have caused the criminals to understand that he is soft on crime and further lead the corridor to become an even more fertile environment for gangs, guns, and violence.
A.J.T. is correct. It worked in Aberdeen 4 years ago!
Al I agree. but with all do respect to the sheriff’s department we have deputy’s that can barely get in or out of the car much less run 10 feet. corn fed with out a doubt.
physical fitness should be a priority.with this type of work. I’ will bet we have some Aberdeen police officer’s who would like to pay edgewood a visit.
The size of some of the deputies is not only an embarrassment to the agency, but is a safety issue as well. Citizens should demand that the Sheriff institute a mental and physical fitness program for the deputies that they must pass at least every 2 years for their own health and safety as well as ours.
I have lived in Edgewood for almost 20 years now. You rich sanctimonious hypocrites make me sick. Somewhere in some book it says the poor will always be with us, and actually they will inherit the earth, not you. Want me to tell you whats worse then illegal gangs, drugs and guns? Legal gangs with guns who think they’re above the law and can bully their way through our streets and neighborhoods. Namely “our civilian armed forces”. You know those who force themselves on us for our own good?..You will never ever, ever never stamp out drugs or poverty!..Every leader since the beginning of time has tried it in many different ways with failure…Only One leader had the answer. He said, love your neighbor as you love yourself and give to those who have not. I know that rubs most of you, including our oh so wonderful police force, the wrong way. So go ahead, spend lots of money, hire more headsmashers, bulldose your way to a perfect utopia. I tell you now “Don’t tread on us” because we will bite you. What you sow in bitterness will grow, only to bare poison fruit, but if you desire a safe place to live and raise your children you have to start with love, not hate….Ronald L.Regester said dat!
Who is bullying their way through the streets of Edgewood? Definitely not the police. So, you moved in there 20 years ago? How has your approach of love worked thus far? Try loving up on the receiving end of your friendly neighborhood drug dealer’s 9mm, and let us know how that goes. “Don’t tread on us” what do you mean by tread, and who are the rest of the us? Are you aligning yourself with the illegal gun-toting, crack-slinging, kill you over a $20 piece element that dominates your community with violence? Is this lifestyle acceptable by your standards? Offer some real solutions, or maybe you don’t think there is anything wrong, and you are the one living a Utopian dream.
Fine, go ahead and love up to those thugs and dirtbags who turned parts of Edgewood into an inner-city ghetto transplanted to Harford County and see how far it gets you. They don’t give a crap about you or your god and are as likely to shoot you for the $5 in your pocket as they are to kneel down and pray with you.
So you’re suggestion is to pull the police out of Edgewood, let the gangs do what they want and try to win them over with hugs and prayers? Yea…that’ll make it a safer area.
wow you guy’s blame Bane must be clueless. Soft on Crime? Please… They lock them up and liberal judges are the ones impossing soft penalties. Jesse has been a cop all his life and the deputies are doing a good job. Support the cops on the street this war on drugs and crime has been going on for a long time throughout the United States. It takes us all to do the right thing,not just post comment’s.
Louie – Don’t disagree that Jesse Bane has been a cop. However – he has shown little leadership as Sheriff. He has catered to the Deputies Union, he has increased the budget to $63 million, he promises everyone everything to keep them happy while increasing the budget and showing little results. He is your typical tax and spend Democrat. Jesse goes along to get along.
Jesse Bane has been a cop all his life? He has worn the uniform, but I anyone who knows better will tell you that he hasn’t been a cop for 30 years.
braveheart, i understand but do not mistake his party affilation with his thought’s about crime. He is what i might consider a Reagan Democart which is not what you discribe here. Cop To Cop, he needs time
Louie – I’m sure you’ve read that many states (California, NY, Michigan, NJ) face severe economic problems because they have overextended themselves. Their governments have offered too many things to too many people all while paying municipal employees outrageous salaries, benefits, and pensions. We don’t need that in Harford County. We simply can’t afford someone like Bane – who hasn’t shown any ability to manage our tax dollars effectively.
to william yep the Police there you go. At night or after there shift they dress like thugs rob banks,sell drugs, and do B an E’s Wow how stupid we all are You Gots it!
excellent point. but now we have two issue. Spending and his abilities to lead the tropps to provide a safe County… firstly what was the budget last year? does anyone have that figure? Other than a cop like Ed Norris who had brought up with the New York zero Tolerance, Bane has the expierence with the Counties crime issue’s. Four More year’s he will get it done. he has proven support.
Louie – The fact of the matter is that the Budget was approximately $39 Million when Bane took office and is now at $63 Million. You can look these facts up online at Harford County’s website. We don’t need another 60% increase – We do not need Jesse Bane.
I will say this we can agree not agree… But I do thank you for a great exchange of idea’s.. for that you are a gentleman and i respect that.
Louie – appreciate your thoughts. Do you disagree on Bane’s $24 Million Budget Increase?
well not certain that say’s it all. Let me do a bit of research. first on the numbers and then where the dollars were sklted to be used? But I will say, it cost’s maybe not 24 million, but it does cost money. i reserve here until I can get some answer’s be well my freind
Could it be that the budget increase is to help fight the escalating crime? Lets face it, it’s not like it was when I grew up. People respected the police then. Now it takes bigger and better to outsmart them. Could the budget increase reflect any of that? I’m sure that some of it has gone for more deputies, more equipment, more of anything they need to fight the crime. You know what? I hope the department gets what they need to fight the crime.
Retired Cop, Wise Old Guy, Mr. Smigley, Braveheart, Vietnam Vet, Al J Thong: Please help me out here. Please tell Louie, Green Bean and everyone else exactly what is going on with the $24 million increase and it isn’t for more deputies, equipment, fighting crime, etc. And please tell them to read all the other postings on here regarding Bane and the decline of the agency under his command. I can’t do it without losing my temper and I’ll be accused again of being “disturbingly obsessive” about Bane.
STEFANO i HAVE READ ALL THE POSTING’S MOST ARE SAID WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF FACT… aT LEAST brave Heart CAN ARGUE WITH FACT AND RESPECT, you babe..have a seat no fact no purpose. those of you who think Bane has not been a cop while wearing his uniform… look and his jacket…. A Cop
Louie: All caps are not necessary and do you always refer to men as “babe”?
Louie, I’m not really sure what you are trying to say here, but the FACT remains that Bane has not done real police work in decades. He is out of touch with how real police work needs to be done, and what the guys (and ladies) on the road are dealing with every day. He spends his time with community organizations and programs. That is admirable, but it doesn’t make him a good leader. He can’t lead his troops because he doesn’t understand how they do their jobs.
did the deputies receive any pay increases in the years Bane was there? that is part of the Budget? More uniforms on the beat? More vehicles or replacements? If the money had been budgeted, it’s not like Bane keeps what’s not spend. He asks for funds there is a vote, he get’s part or all then.. there is a watchdog who looks at the spending.. What’s missing?
I have a real good question? Has anyone heard anything about the on going investigation on Maj “Home Depot” Forwood. This guy seems to have gotten the last few months off with pay. Nice bonus vacation for him, there go our taxe dollars paying for him to do nothing.
I’m a newbie. Does anyone have any intelligence on Bodways Chief Deputy candidate. I heard that Bodway has promised the job to Joe Price? Is that the same Joe Price who lost the last Republican primary for Sheriff?
Yes, retired State Trooper Joe Price. Brilliant choice. Will draw trooper votes away from Gahler.
Don’t be so sure Stefano – Heard Joe Price alienates most people he comes in contact with.
Brilliant? I’d say desperate choice. Anyone who knows the two of them won’t be swayed by this choice. No trooper will pick Price over Gahler and from what I hear the deputies don’t care for Price either.
I dont think the deputies would vote for Gahler either he has Howard on his ticket, and knowone wants howard back again. If Jack doesnt make it, the safest bet is Bane…sorry to say
Gahler addressed Howard issue when he spoke at a meeting I was at and made it public information that Howard is not coming back in any position. I have it on video and as do others and I don’t think he would lie about it.
You hit the nail on the head Harford County Citizen! Bane is going to be the way to go if Meckley doesn’t make it.
Although Gehler said he wouldn’t bring Howard in doesn’t mean he won’t bring Howard’s wife. I 100% believe that will happen in a heartbeat. She isn’t any better.
The best choice is Meckley in my opinion. Bane obviously sucks at his job, Gehler has the Walters backing him, Bodway didn’t fair too well with other law enforcement officers and some of his ideas will not fly (county-wide police agency)
Talk to the candidates, see what they have to say and where they are coming from then make the choice of what you think is best for the county and deputies.
Let me tell you something about Bane. I have been on the end of one of his punishments and this man has no heart. He ran last time saying he wanted a more caring and fair agency. Haven’t seen yet. Bane has fired more people then any other sheriff. What does that tell you about this man. People do make mistakes. The sheriff’s will never change as long as he has the same command staff. Most of them have no education. Bane required a degree to be a member of his command staff. Again he lied. Stoney and Bowman are both uneducated. Bowman will screw over anyone. I don’t even know why people like Stoney. He is your friend to your face, but watch out for him he’s a snake. I don’t see any hope for the sheriff office with any of these candiates. They all have a motive. No changes will be made with any of them. My vote is for Waltman since he runs the agency anyway.
A note to the editors… thank you for erring on the side of discretion where “the little fox” concerning my incarceration, tried to exploit. Thank you, evidently some there have real literary backbone and insight. I’m sorry it took so long for me to reply but I have better things to do then to respond to a poor cooks recipe, although his stew does need a little stirring. Your readers can look up the details of my record at the county court house. R.L.Regester has nothing to hide. I paid for my indiscretion ten times over. The cost far exceeded the crime but then harford co. can’t make money or seize citizens property with misdemeanors. That will be commentary for another day… I want to illuminate on my comment “Don’t Tread on Us”. I was speaking of the poor people that the civilized social elite get rich on daily. There is no place in harford co. or anywhere for that matter, for drug pushers. They will be delt with if not in this life, in the next for sure. I was not one, athough I don’t look down my nose at them like some do. Drugs are just another manifestation of the yoke of oppression and poverty we put on the necks of the poor. I’m not talking about pot. I ask you, why is alcohol legal and pot is not? Every right thinking person knows that alcohol kills not tens, not hundreds but thousands of people every year. The answer is because established principalities in high places are makeing big bucks off the status quo. Its all about money. It has nothing to do with justice. I’m not saying drugs are right, I’m just saying the way we deal with the problem is wrong!..One would say, what is the right way? I think no one has that answer. I do know that makeing rich sanctimonious hypocrites richer and destroying poor peoples lives is most certainly not the answer. Count yourself blessed if you were born to the upper class. Is there no place in this county for poor people? many of whom did not choose their lot in life. Would we destroy 10 because of 1? would we destroy 100 because of 10? I would hope not because that would tell me that this is a county where hope does not exist. That would truly be a sorry “county” state of affairs. So I say to those who would seek to exploit, devour and destroy places like Meadowwood, The Courts of Harford Sq. and Edgewater Village, shame on you. There are hard working people living there….The system is broken, just not according to those getting rich off it or makeing a good living from it. There are web sites run by law enforcement officials that say this same thing! There for anyone to research. The government does not listen to them, dare we wonder why?…And one last comment, the rich drive the hard drug business. The poor are just easy targets……..I fear only, One.
So, your selling of an illegal substance is okay because a) you think it should be legal and b) you are poor, and oppressed by the man?
No one is trying to “…exploit, devour and destroy places like Meadowwood, The Courts of Harford Sq. and Edgewater Village…” Some folks are saddened and fed up with the violence that goes on there, and emanates from there and other places. Your psychobabble about the rich being at fault for the drug problem, coupled with your record of drug distribution only serves to make you feel better about you; it does absolutely nothing to help those hard working citizens that you mention. You may wish to quit while you are barely afloat, but I doubt you will. The great thing about this forum, is that it gives more than enough rope to hang oneself.
Stefano~ relax, you speak w/o the benefit of fact’s ..if you have an idea or what to share your opinion,do that. But you make statement’s do like Brave heart and support them with fact. see the difference.. so, as far as babe? “Not at there is anything wrong with that:? It’s just a term? actually I thought it sounded good!
Many of you make some excellent points. However, blaming the Section 8 Program is not the answer. The reality is that low income families have every right to live wherever they can afford to. Section 8 is a reasonable program with good intentions. However, some of the landlords and some recipients of this program abuse it. This county has a sad track record of failing to work well with the Federal Dept. of HUD when it comes to oversight on Section 8.
Section 8 does not allow felons to reside in houses that are paid w/program funds. Yet, too often, the police are arresting a section 8 recipients’ friend/lover/father of child who uses this residence while they lead a life of crime. There has to be a way to make sure recipients of section 8 benefits know they can not have any unauthorized people living with them, even for a night if that person is a felon!
That said, we need to get control of this problem. Every one of you needs to demand that your County Councilman limits the # of Section 8 Landlords that may participate in the program. You should also demand a county landlord registration process so we know who the landlords are and where to go when problems develop. Make the landlords accountable to the public/police for not screening their tenants and for failing to maintain their properties up to every code on an annual basis.
Many of you know neighbors who are landlords that own rental properties. I bet some of them who are not in the Section 8 program, rent to low income families. Do these landlords maintain their properties beyond the bare minimum standards? Do these landlords receive cash payments from the tenants, and are the landlords paying taxes?
Sad to say, but its proven that the rental properties of this county are extracting more county services per capita than properties which are owned. That said, the landlords who make rental income should be taxed at a higher rate to cover the costs.
Law enforcement can not be expected to fix this alone.
Looking forward to feedback on this one.
I agree that legislation needs to be looked at enforced, however there is also the issue of community policing in assisting local law enforcement. When sheriffs show up to investigate you’d be surprised at the lack of information they get due to residents in some instances not wanting to provide information. This allows would be criminals to set up shop.
btw…crime isn’t just restricted to edgewood, its spreading throughout. We can all sit around with our heads in the sand but message needs to be sent from all Harford County residents…there was an armed robbery w/assault in Abingdon (involving four Abingdon juveniles) just this past week and recent stabbing in Bel Air (at a Wawa unfortunately no less). Theres no one answer to address this, but a large help can be with residents actively monitoring their neighborhoods and working with police on a consistent basis rather than just when a string of crime happens. If you think somethings not up to snuff…report it. Don’t wait for the crime to happen. Drug deals and drug houses are pretty easy to spot due to traffic and nefarious activity usually accompanied with them.
While we’re at it let’s demand that any additional Section 8 housing be placed to the wet of the I-95 corridor. Aberdeen and Edgewood are totally saturated with Section 8 and low income rental properties now. Let’s all be compassionate and share this great resource. Lets put the next 50 in Bel Air and another 50 into Fallston.
I think it’s an excellent idea to share the wealth to your finer communities in Harford County. Lets not keep it all on this side of Route 40!!
News Flash: The police are not our worst gang, not our true criminals. It is the people who make ridiculous, incorrect, ludicrous statements slandering police and the people that do not stand up to the shit bags of society and do not hold these pukes accounatble for their actions. By blaming the police you are supporting crime!! Our cops are probably out-manned, out-armed, and out-crazied in some parts of this city and you want to point the finger at them? Grow a set and side with the cops. Try to do something to help your community and the policing efforts and stop crying your sob story about how bad things because of the police.
Support the blue … Well said, there’s a start
Support the Blue – excellent point, no matter who the sheriff is!!
Roadhouse – It doesn’t matter who there are, if you spend your career trying to get promoted, you are forced to do many things you may not have normally done to stay where you are. Bowman is a good man, just doesn’t a degree. I would say that him being uneducated is an insult. He has more street smarts and tactical sense than any one of the command staff. His people respected him, with or without the degree. I will admit, Stoney has changed. But they all do.
I spoke to several of the candidates at the BBQ Bash last night. I talked to Meckley for a few minutes, but, as usual, he seemed pre-occupied and acted like I was taking up his valuable time. Don’t get me wrong, I like Jack and have for over 20 years. But I don’t know if his head is in the right place to handle this job.
Roger Sheets stood out there like he was looking for a friend – no one was stopping by to talk to him.
I walked by the Gahler booth and was disappointed to see Howard Walter there instead of Jeff. Howard just sat behind a table and didn’t have much to say. I wish I would have been able to talk to Jeff. I have known him since he was D-11 working the street in Edgewood. Good guy, but I’m a little confused by the Howard thing. I have no problems with Howard’s wife – Teresa. She is a great leader and is not under Howard’s control. I worked for her for a long time and would have followed her into a burning building if she said to go. And she would have led the way. If Jeff is working with her, he couldn’t have made a better choice.
Bodway was the most engaging of all. He shook my hand, engaged my wife, and spoke to my two year old. He talked about the issues and about the need for change. I have a lot of respect for Steve. He was a good leader and would make a great Sheriff.
As usual, Bane just stood there with a few supporters. He doesn’t have the gift of gab. Five years ago I would have said that he is a nice man and would be good for the job. Now, that’s changed. I saw a side of him that others talked about and I did not like. He served his county well – now it’s time to move on.
That’s my take. No endorsement on either one, just what I saw.
Youobviously didn’t know Gahler that well. He never worked Edgewood and he was never D-11… D-11 has always been associated with Kevin Ofer.
My apologies, maybe it was D-5 then. But yes, I do know him well and I did work the street with him.
whats a d-5 or d-11
Roman Brady- In reference to Bowman. He may be a good man and smart,but he’s vindictive if he doesn’t like you. I know many deputies he has screwed over the years because he just didn’t like them. He takes care those he likes. Look at Reppar one of his boys.The previous Sgt. in that unit was told to have to wear a tie to work. I hadn’t once seen Reppar wearing a tie. It’s double standards with Bowman. He’s the one that wanted Reppar in the unit even those another Sgt. requested a transfer there. Don’t get me wrong Reppar is a nice guy, but they have given him everything including when he was sick paying him,not making him use any of his leave. Isn’t that fraud. They even transported his wife back and forth to the hospital in agency vehicles. To my knowledge the sheriff’s office had never done this for anyone else when it wasn’t work related. Stop the double standards and treat everyone equally is all anyone can ask. My vote is going for who ever win the republican primary. No more Bane is all I care about.
This is an interesting thread. Is it about crime in Edgewood or who the better potential Sheriff might be? Why is anyone mentioning individual LEO’s names? Stop – irrelevant.
Its clear that change in leadership is needed for the HCSO. However, we need to make sure the elected Sheriff does not start picking favorites, rather, focus on fighting crime regardless of whether an individual Deputy voted/supported him.
While we are at it, perhaps its time to do away with the elected Sheriff position and create a County Police Dept. Then we can recruit on a nationwide basis and get the best candidate with no “old boy network” bullshit.
Bystander,
I would have to disagree with you on the elected sheriff versus the appointed police chief. Politics is sometimes a strange business as I am finding that out in my own run for the Board of Education.
While you can never completely eliminate politics from law enforcement (just look at Baltimore City with an appointed head) or education these are functions of government where politics should be kept at arms length as much as possible. I do not think people really care about the political party affiliations of police and teachers when they need their services. During my twenty years in the Balt. City Police Dept. and eight years with Balt. Co. Public Schools no one ever asked that question. They just want people who are qualified and committed to the job filling those positions.
I think that people should have a say about who heads agencies that wield such power and spend large portions of our tax dollars. We are now moving to an elected school board for this very reason. Harford County residents were frustrated with what they saw as an unresponsive group that was not accountable to the people.
Elected sheriffs and school boards have their up and down sides, but at least the people have a real voice at choosing the leaders and direction these agencies move.
Bob Frisch
Board of Education candidate
District A (Edgewood/Joppatowne/Joppa)
Best of luck…I got my eye on you and will probably vote for ya!
Bystander,
I am glad to see that are interested and will be an informed voter. I don’t need luck I need votes and I would appreciate having yours, along with your friends and family. If you take a good look at all the candidates running in District A I am confident you will conclude that I am the best qualified, most committed, and have the character you would expect of someone holding this most important position.
You should change your moniker from Bystander to Participant.
dave roadhouse naming names IS relevant. I want to know exactly what and who I am dealing with when I cast my vote for Sheriff. If Bane is playing favorites, I want to know who they are and how they are being favored. And from what I’m hearing and reading, there is a huge disparity from the patrol deputies who work the streets and the chosen ones that sit in the ivory tower and do nothing but collect big paychecks. And that’s why there is crime in the Rt. 40 corridor. Because our current sheriff plays favorites and wouldn’t think of exposing his boys and girls to the dangers of working the road. And it’s quite interesting to hear that Reppar’s wife was driven back and forth to the hospital by deputies. Deputy Steve Schwartz was just recently fired by Bane because Bane wanted him to watch cameras in Edgewood and Steve said he couldn’t drive from his house to the Edgewood precinct with the painkillers he was on. Steve requested that one of his colleagues pick him up to and from work. Request denied by Bane and Schwartz’s 19 year career is over and done with. And I know this for a fact because I am a 23 year friend of Steve Schwartz. Naming names matters and so does having a sheriff who doesn’t play favorites! Please give us any additional information you have, roadhouse.
Hey Native…just wanted to let you know I’m still “afloat” alive and well. Coarse all I need to stay ahead of your bull crap is hip boots. Hey how about another character reference or accusation. That seems to be your real forte…
Solutions abound, not.
Just so you stupids know, I delete all emails coming from this site to my home page. The editors have the good sense not to post your bigotry. If its not worthy of this page it doesn’t concern me in the least!
ooh, boys what happen? I didn’t mean to ruin all your intellectual suppositories…
I am so lonely. Little Fox, I left the hen house door open just for you. Where are your profound “in the dark attacks” where are the little blue boys angry cop spews? You all left me hear in the dark shakeing in my booties. You think just because you verbalate with covert names that no one knows who you are? I put my name and address out there because you farm animals don’t scare me. Believe me, your inverted intellect gives you away. I have also spoken to ex-harford co. blue boys. I know of the dissention in the ranks. Please tell me of the happy and satisfied civilian armed forces we have here in our beautiful utopia. “News Flash”, hey blue boy…I was not a shit bag or what you aholes call punks until your out of control, “for profit system” turned me into one!…I hope that your new sheriffs house of cards caves in on itself and that your toy soldiers embarrass him into retirement.. like leaveing their pistols on the pisser when they’re done. Or like taking citizens to the hilton in handcuffs, still armed,…lol, Support Harford Co. Police? You gotta be kiddin me!…I’d rather see “peace officers” use their peace on themselves!
OK WHAT WAS SAID HERE? ANYONE?
the truth
THANK YOU, Pat Robertson. You have said with few words what I have tried to say with many. Words that will resonate with truth and wisdom for years to come. I have been less gracious with mine. I hold so much more contempt and condemnation for those who sit in power. Those who glorify themselves in their silver towers. Who destroy in the name of false justice and failed policies. Who spew forth judgment in the name of “the law”. A law that is flawed and destructive to those they are sworn to serve and protect. A law that bankrolls the sanctimonious elite and bankrupts the country. Future historians, if time and sanity permit, will speak of a nation that spent its children’s future on drug wars that could never be won. All for their own political gain and power. Those who sit in their black robes with their feet resting comfortably on the heads of the poor. Those who pick through the trash for convicting evidence, with their faces covered in disgrace. Those who made a very comfortable living killing hopes and dreams. A “democracy of hypocrisy”… Marijuana, a gateway drug? Outrageous claims merit proof in the real world. How stupid do you think we are? How much longer must we suffer this outrageous lie. Here’s something to ponder while your sons and daughters are smoking pot behind your back. Research the facts for yourself and tell me if you’d rather have your people smoking a benign weed that hurts no one, or hooked on crack, meth and heroin?? Marijuana, a class 1 drug and the rest listed as class 2. What incompetent moron made up this classification? Don’t tell me you will stop them from smoking pot. You may be foolish enough to convince yourself of this, but they will be doing whatever they want in your absence just as you did in your unbridled youth. You will find out about it when the government you trusted is about to ruin your kids’ hopes and dreams and futures, while prepareing to add your savings to their coffers. Simply because they smoked a joint and got caught by the local cops, “peace officers”…lol, just doing their job. Following “the perfect law”, a law that is perfectly designed to destroy. A law designed to discriminate. A perfectly flawed law. A law that was instituted by the very people who tried to stop alcohol. Now they sit in their banquet halls and toast each other while our people and nation pay for their poor judgment… You sleepers, wake up from this nightmare and feel the pain and anguish this flawed law, this poor judgment has caused. Let the historian tell of a people who gave it their best shot but in the end realized the err of their ways, and their laws. That they put their best foot forward; instead of up the ass of the poor. Open your hearts and your minds and your prisons, and Understand What Was Said Here!…decriminalize marijuana before its too late, before your sons or daughters find themselves bloodied by the police and in jail bunked up with real! criminals. Believe me, the cops in Harford Co. don’t give a shit about you, and once they get you behind bars your guilty until proven innocent.
thaks4thevote
ooopps! it disappeared