Welcome to our weekly column in which a topic of interest, piece of news, relevant opinion, or general request for feedback is presented. We’ll offer the topic du jour and accompanying question, and you have the opportunity to respond with your thoughts.
Simply fill out the form below. A collection of each week’s responses will appear in the following week’s column. To read last week’s responses, scroll below this week’s topic.
Publisher reserves the right to edit responses for clarity and publish online and/or in our print publications.
Please let us know your thoughts!
This week’s topic is:
Recent Police Reform & Its Impact on Policing & Crime
In the wake of Spring and Summer 2020’s municipal and national protests/movements to address social injustices related to racism and police brutality, many politicians and their constituents demanded policing reforms, which included concepts such as diverting funding to social welfare and mental health programs, citizen review boards, and repealing police officers’ bill of rights.
In Maryland, the legislature listened and passed five police reform bills in the 2021 General Assembly. Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed three quickly, but was overridden by the Assembly.
While many constituents feel these bills will have a positive impact, others view the legislation as demoralizing to our police forces and will have a negative ripple effect on policing, criminal activity, and public safety.
Recently in Annapolis, for example, citizens have questioned the lack of police presence in the Downtown vicinity, with several shootings having taken place, a brutal attack of a woman on Main Street with onlookers recording video, and no visible police presence walking the streets.
Our questions to you:
Is this perceived lack of police presence connected to the recent police reform bills, in your opinion?
What are your thoughts on police reform and the ripple effect—positive or negative—it could have on our communities and public safety?
Please share your thoughts by filling out this form.
Last week, we asked you about the Contradictions in Bay Health Reporting and you responded! Here is a sampling of reader responses. To read more, click here.
I certainly hope not! We are supposed to be able to trust of governmental sources and if this is another example of caving to industry money and power then I need to vote for different people.
The real question is " How do we find out who to believe?"
Beth Priaulx, Annapolis
