HAGERSTOWN, MD News (9/17/2024) – A community town hall held on Monday, September 16, 2024, at the Washington County Free Library drew a large turnout of concerned citizens, business owners, and local officials. The meeting, organized by Maryland State Senator Paul Corderman, addressed a wide range of issues, including rising crime, homelessness, and the challenges facing law enforcement in Hagerstown.
This article was updated 9/18/2024 to reflect a statement from Councilmember McIntire.
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Representing Washington County Government were County Commissioner President John Barr, County Commissioner Derek Harvey, and County Administrator Michelle Gordon. Alongside Senator Corderman, they served as panelists, listening to public concerns and discussing potential solutions to the issues impacting the city and surrounding areas.
Throughout the evening, residents shared personal experiences of crime and concerns about public safety. Many spoke about increased drug use, theft, and incidents involving homelessness in the downtown area. Business owners expressed frustration over property crimes, vandalism, and a perceived lack of police presence, while others emphasized the need for more social services to address addiction and homelessness.
Several speakers called for better funding and resources for the Hagerstown Police Department, which many described as understaffed. Suggestions included increasing officer salaries to attract and retain talent, as well as enhancing cooperation between city, county, and state officials to tackle public safety issues comprehensively.
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City Council’s Absence
Noticeably absent from the town hall panel were members of the Hagerstown City Council, sparking questions from residents about the city government’s role in addressing these pressing issues. However, several members of the City Council were in fact present at the town hall, but chose not to participate as panelists.
According to communications obtained after the meeting, Councilmember Kristin Aleshire explained the decision not to participate officially, citing concerns about fairness during an election period, as four of the five council members are currently running for re-election. Aleshire also expressed hesitation about having only two council members attend and represent the entire body.
City Councilmember Tiara Burnett, who was unable to attend due to a prior obligation, noted that the City Council has already engaged the public on these issues through regular council meetings. She emphasized that public comments are regularly solicited during these sessions, and community stakeholders have been involved in ongoing discussions.
Councilmember Matthew Schindler, though unable to officially participate, did attend the town hall briefly as a private citizen. In his response to Corderman’s invitation, Schindler referenced a previous community meeting held in August, which had similar discussions on public safety.
Councilmember Shelley McIntire was unable to attend as she was out of the country.
Future statements regarding the town hall will be made during council meetings by the City Council.
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Delegate Grossman Also Absent
Delegate Brooke Grossman was also unable to attend due to a previously planned family trip. However, her office had staff members present to take notes on potential solutions discussed during the town hall. In a statement, Grossman expressed optimism about finding evidence-based solutions to address the community’s challenges, signaling her commitment to continue working on these issues in the upcoming legislative session.
Looking Forward
The town hall was described by many attendees as a valuable opportunity to voice concerns directly and offer potential solutions. While the meeting drew attention to significant problems facing the city, it also fostered a sense of community engagement and collaboration. Both county and state officials indicated a willingness to work together to address the growing challenges in Hagerstown.
Story by multiple RFHC contributors
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