HAGERSTOWN, MD News (8/5/2024) – In response to “rising civic unrest and an escalating drug crisis”, Heather Holman, a resident of Hagerstown, has launched a petition urging the mobilization of the Maryland National Guard. The petition addresses concerns over recent violence and drug-related issues that have significantly impacted the community’s safety and well-being.
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The petition emphasizes the urgent need for intervention due to a series of violent incidents and the pervasive presence of drug addiction within the city. Holman asserts that the local law enforcement and city authorities are currently under-resourced and unable to adequately protect the citizens from these pressing issues. As of publishing, the petition had 78 signatures.
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“The Hagerstown City Police and Hagerstown Mayor and City Council say that a lack of resources prevents them from protecting the people of Hagerstown from dozens of shootings and are unable to do anything about the hundreds of homeless addicts wandering the streets of a city too small to provide services for this level of epidemic,” Holman states in the petition.
The petition specifically calls upon Maryland State Senator Paul D. Corderman, Governor Wes Moore, and Hagerstown Mayor Tekesha Martinez to take decisive action by deploying the National Guard. Holman argues that the National Guard has the capability to restore law and order and contribute to substance use prevention and de-escalation efforts through its specialized task forces.
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The petition comes in the wake of several notable incidents of violence:
- Two shootings on August 2, 2024, with no reported injuries.
- A fatal shooting on August 1, 2024.
- A shooting on July 28, 2024, resulting in one serious but nonfatal injury.
- A fatal shooting on July 18, 2024, which occurred in broad daylight, endangering bystanders.
These incidents have heightened public concern, prompting numerous residents to voice their worries during the public comment period at the Hagerstown Mayor and Council meeting on July 23, 2024. The escalation in violence has brought the community together in seeking more robust measures to ensure public safety.
In an open letter dated July 24, 2024, Maryland Senator Paul Corderman addressed the Hagerstown Mayor and Council regarding the city’s escalating violence. While the letter received mixed reactions, with some local residents perceiving it as politically motivated, it also garnered significant praise. The subsequent shootings on July 28, August 1, and August 2 further underscored the urgency of the situation, quieting many of the initial critics.
The next opportunity for Hagerstown residents to voice their concerns and engage with city officials will be at the upcoming Hagerstown City Council meeting on August 27, 2024. The meeting, which will allow for citizen comments, is scheduled to begin at 7 PM in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, located at One East Franklin Street.
Story by multiple RFHC contributors
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