Vol. 4 Issue 4 April 2021 IMPACT UPDATE Protecting, Preventing, Providing Larry Hogan Boyd K. Rutherford Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III Governor Lt. Governor Superintendent

Contents

Initiative Targets Speeding In D.C. Region

Academy Class Raises $29K for Special Olympics

Rockville Barrack Mustache Men Support Important Cause One Year Later: How MSP Has MSP Increases Patrols For St. Patrick’s Day Adjusted In A Pandemic World

Salisbury Barrack Targets All of this also began just as Colonel Aggressive Drivers (PIKESVILLE, MD) — Over the Woodrow W. Jones III took over as past 100 years, the Maryland State Superintendent of the Maryland State Traffic Stop Leads To Police have survived and thrived Police. Col. Jones’ first year in com- Drug Charges In AA Co. through everything the world has mand was like no other in the depart- placed in front of it. ment’s history.

From World War II to countless natu- Troopers across the state played a ral disasters to the Sept. 11, 2001 ter- leading role in not only enforcing rorist attack, the men and women of Gov. Hogan’s executive orders asso- the Maryland State Police have con- ciated with the state of emergency, tinued to work 24/7/365 to serve and but also in working in partnership protect the residents of the state. Ar- with local leaders, law enforcement, guably, never has the organization and other county officials with a fo- had to be more vigilant than it has cus on educating the public about the been forced to be during the past year existing orders and protocols, helping due to the COVID-19 pandemic. to prevent super-spreader events and taking enforcement actions when From the moment Gov. Larry Hogan necessary. declared a state of emergency last March, the approach the Maryland State Police took toward its work changed. At the same time, like other frontline workers, these adjustments were made while never taking a mi- nute away from their respective jobs. See PANDEMIC, page 2 IMPACT UPDATE

PANDEMIC: Adjusting To A New World

In August 2020, while buying ice From Page 2 cream in Charlotte Hall, Trooper The pandemic also meant the de- Jordan Barlow paid for everyone partment was forced to make ma- else who was in line behind jor changes to annual events. The him. A father posted a photo with Fallen Heroes Ceremony was can- Trooper Barlow and said his son celled in May and replaced with a would never forget the photo or virtual ceremony and tribute vid- the kindness shown by our troop- eo. Similar videos were produced er. th for the 100 anniversary of the On Aug. 25, 2020 retired Second Maryland State Police and in cele- Lieutenant Leland Corbett and bration of Black History Month. some of his family stopped by the In June 2020, the 151st Trooper distancing, learned about Mary- North East Barrack so his extend- Candidate Class Graduation cere- land law, military drill and cere- ed Maryland State Police family mony took place at the Maryland mony, fitness and wellness, defen- could be a part of his 92nd sive tactics and explored the many State Police Academy in birthday celebration. Sykesville. Attendance was ex- facets of a career in law enforce- ment. Troopers across the state also tremely limited, social distancing found ways to practice social dis- was practiced and the ceremony As expected, the pandemic also tancing while ensuring they con- was streamed live for the first forced the department to alter its tinued to deliver gifts to children time to ensure friends and family recruiting efforts. Over the past in need over the holiday season. members of the graduates could year, virtual recruiting events Even the Polar Bear Plunge was witness this accomplishment. A were hosted to attract new flight forced to go virtual in 2020. similar livestream broadcast was paramedics, pilots and cadets, held on Sept. 30, 2020 for the among others. The past year has shown that re- Maryland State Police Employee gardless of world events, the Even with the adjustments re- Maryland State Police will of the Year awards ceremony. quired due to the pandemic, troop- continue to adjust to ensure its A group of female high school ers worked to find proper ways to work toward keeping the state safe and college students with an inter- have positive interactions with the continues. est in a law enforcement career community. participated Aug. 21-23, 2020 in This included over the summer the first ever MSP Youth Leader- when troopers worked with the ship and Women In Law Enforce- Red Cross to seek much-needed ment Seminar. Attendees, who blood donations. wore masks and practiced social

Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected] or call 410 -653-4236 IMPACT UPDATE

MSP, Allied Agencies Launch Initiative To Address Speeding In Washington Region

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – The Mary- land State Police, along with al- lied law enforcement partners, launched on March 15 the first of six traffic enforcement initiatives aimed at targeting excessive speeding, aggressive and impaired driving, with a goal of reducing vehicle-related fatalities in Prince George’s and Montgomery coun- ties.

The traffic enforcement detail concentrated on I-495 (Capital Beltway) and I-270 and included 35 law enforcement personnel representing troopers from the Maryland State Police Washing- ton Metro Troop (College Park, by the MDOT MVA’s Highway efforts have yielded significant Forestville and Rockville bar- Safety Office, more than 17,100 results in reducing the number of racks), along with members of the crashes were reported in Prince reported crashes. Montgomery County Police De- George’s County and more than partment, the Prince George’s 9,700 crashes were reported in In addition to the combined police County Police Department and Montgomery County in 2020. department traffic enforcement Virginia State Police. Between 2018 and 2020, the operations, Maryland State Police Forestville Barrack responded to in the Washington Metro Troop The enforcement detail led to law 7,645 crashes while the College will be conducting ongoing traffic enforcement issuing 226 citations, Park and Rockville barracks re- safety initiatives throughout the 196 warnings, a warrant arrest and sponded to 5,365 and 4,791 crash- coming months. These initiatives a drug arrest. The Maryland De- es, respectively. are data-driven and will be fo- partment of Transportation Motor cused in areas where crash data Vehicle Administration’s High- Over that time, the Washington indicates they are most needed. way Safety Office provided grant Metro Troop has conducted doz- funding for the operation. The ens of initiatives, with the goal of other five combined initiatives are reducing traffic crashes in the ar- set to take place once a month be- ea. This is especially true around tween April and August. the Capital Beltway, which has represented about 50 percent of According to Automated Crash those reported crashes. These tar- Reporting System data provided geted and direct enforcement

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Josh Smith, a Special Olympian and the son of a retired state trooper, cheers on Class 152 in support of them raising $29,000 for Special Olympics Maryland. (Frame captured from Class 152 plunge video available in its entirety on MSP Facebook page.)

MSP Academy Class Raises $29,000 To Support Special Olympics Maryland And Sets All-Time Record

(SYKESVILLE, MD) — The Before they plunged, Class 152 enthusiasm and the important members of Maryland State Police heard from Jim Schmutz, president knowledge you provide to our Training Academy Class 152 be- and CEO of Special Olympics MD trooper candidates. We are very gan raising funds to support Spe- and from Josh Smith, who has proud that you are a part of our cial Olympics MD through the been a Special Olympics athlete Maryland State Police family. Maryland State Police Polar Bear for 30 years. Josh is the son of a Plunge even before they began retired Maryland state trooper and Congratulations to the members of their training in January. his wife. Class 152, their instructors, and their command staff, Captain Incredibly, in just weeks, the four The programs provided free-of- Smith, Lt. Chatfield and First Ser- dozen members of the class and charge by Special Olympics have geant Cottman. their instructors raised a police helped Josh and thousands of other academy record-setting total of children and adults with intellectu- Thank you for your willingness to more than $29,000 for Special al disabilities live lives of inclu- participate and your incredible Olympics. sion and fulfillment, while helping fundraising efforts. Even as you them reach their full potential train, you are upholding the proud As they wrapped up their eighth through the power of sports. tradition of “Maryland's finest.” week of training on March 5, the members of Class 152 took their Josh is also a guest instructor at the virtual plunge together at the Academy. He teaches troopers Academy in a water holding tank, and other police recruits about how kindly provided by the Howard to assist people with disabilities as Co. Fire Department. part of his job with Pathfinders for Autism. Thank you, Josh, for your

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Rockville Barrack Mustache Men Support Important Cause

(ROCKVILLE, MD) — There was a time in Maryland State Po- lice history when troopers were not permitted to wear mustaches. That changed decades ago, with- out bringing too much disruption to Maryland State Police tradi- tions.

This past winter, Lt. Vince Upole and troopers at the Rockville Bar- rack decided to celebrate that flex- ibility in appearance and spon- Lt. Vince Upole (l) and TFC Josh Quase (c) of the Rockville Barrack present a check to Jack Nichols (r) sored a ‘best mustache’ contest. In for $240 to benefit HEROES. order to enter the contest, troopers paid an entrance fee. Whoever while serving in the Washington, Mr. Nichols reported HEROES is was determined to have the best D.C. region. Lt. Upole and TFC paying 100 percent of the cost of mustache would win the oppor- Quase presented a check for $240 Taylor’s college education at Kai- tunity to choose the charity the to Mr. Jack Nichols, the president ser University in Florida. She is money would be donated to. of HEROES. nearing completion of her degree in forensic science and is de- After the established growing pe- Unfortunately, COVID precau- scribed as an excellent student riod had expired, contestant judg- tions struck again and those in- with outstanding motivation. Mr. ing was held and a winner de- volved in the presentation all had Nichols reports HEROES helped clared. The winner of the Rock- to wear masks. Therefore, we Taylor obtain an internship for ville Barrack Best Mustache Con- have no photographic evidence of this summer with the D.C. Depart- test was determined to be TFC the award winning nature of TFC ment of Forensic Science, about Josh Quase. He provided no se- Quase’s mustache. We must rely which she is very excited. crets to growing an award win- on the endorsement of Lt. Upole, ning mustache but, more im- who confirmed it was award win- To learn more about HEROES, portantly, he did choose an out- ning. visit https://heroes.org/. standing organization to receive the contest earnings. Mr. Nichols recently provided an update on a member of the Mary- TFC Quase decided the money land State Police family his organ- should be donated to HEROES, ization is helping in a significant Inc. (Honor Every Responsible way. Taylor Toatley was just a Officer’s Eternal Sacrifice), which toddler when her father, Corporal is an organization dedicated to the Edward Toatley, was shot and support of the families of law en- killed in the line of duty on Octo- forcement officers and firefighters ber 30, 2000. who made the ultimate sacrifice

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The North East Barrack targeted drug-related impaired driving along Route 40 in Cecil County. The Cecil County Sheriff’s Office, the Perryville Police Department, the Elkton Police Department, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Delaware State Police joined troopers in this effort. Troopers Increase Patrols In Response To St. Patrick’s Day

(PIKESVILLE, Md.) — With in areas known to have a higher provided funds for this effort. COVID-19 restrictions being lifted number of DUI crashes or arrests.  The MSP Salisbury Barrack across the state and with St. Pat- Those efforts in many cases in- also worked with allied agencies rick’s being celebrated last month, cluded collaborating with allied throughout Wicomico County and Maryland State Police urged those law enforcement and other state the lower Eastern Shore as part of who planned to celebrate with al- agencies to both enforce the law the area’s “Border to Border” uni- cohol to be safe and smart and and offer outreach to the commu- ty enforcement effort. avoid impaired, distracted and ag- nity through social media and  Troopers from the Bel Air Bar- gressive driving. electronic billboards. Over those rack worked with the Harford days, troopers recorded 163 DUI Traffic Task Force to saturate With an increase in impaired driv- arrests and issued 6,624 citations the Bel Air area. ers expected throughout, state po- and 7,941 warnings. Troopers also lice conducted saturation patrols at made 67 drug and 60 criminal ar- According to the Maryland De- each of the 23 barracks with a fo- rests partment of Transportation 151 cus on impaired, aggressive and Among those initiatives: people died on Maryland’s roads distracted driving. Enforcement  The Maryland State Police from impaired driving crashes in over those two weeks was support- North East Barrack targeted drug- 2019. Impaired drivers injured ed by impaired driving saturation related impaired driving along more than 3,200 in 2019. These patrol funds from the Maryland Route 40 in Cecil County. The deaths and injuries were preventa- Department of Transportation Mo- Cecil County Sheriff’s Office, the ble. tor Vehicle Administration’s Perryville Police Department, the Highway Safety Office. Elkton Police Department, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office The initiatives, which took place and Delaware State Police joined on various days between March 11 troopers in this effort. The MDOT and 20, included saturation patrols MVA’s Highway Safety Office Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected] or call 410 -653-4236 IMPACT UPDATE

MSP Patrols Address Concerns Over Aggressive Driving In Wicomico County

(SALISBURY, MD) — In Febru- Troopers were to provide a visible Paired with violations of negli- ary, the Maryland State Police presence throughout the corridor gent and distracted driving, the Salisbury Barrack received a when weather conditions and calls effort by the Salisbury Barrack complaint of aggressive driving for service allowed for such an led to a drop in crashes, both im- and reckless operation of motor- effort. Over the course of 30 days, paired and non-impaired, and in ists in a rural portion of Wicomi- troopers conducted 12 High Visi- reports of distracted driving in the co County, namely Nanticoke bility Enforcement (HVE) patrols, area. Road from Salisbury to Bivalve utilizing 18 different troopers . Initiatives like this re-enforce the Maryland. mission charged to the Maryland Residents of the community noted During the operations, troopers State Police since 1921: to reduce the behaviors of motorists have conducted 78 traffic stops, issuing crime and highway tragedies only become more aggressive and 33 citations, 34 warnings and two through statewide patrol and en- detrimental to transiting the area. Safety Equipment Repair Orders forcement of state traffic laws. Using High Visibility Enforce- (SEROs). Also conducted were ment (HVE), statistical enforce- two DUI arrests, four vehicle ment principles and responding to searches recording two civil cita- the needs of the community, tions for CDS. Many of those troopers initiated a mandatory stopped for speeding were cited speed enforcement and aggressive for driving more than 20 miles per driving effort in the area. hour over the posted speed limit.

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Traffic Stop Leads To Pair Charged With Possession With Intent To Distribute Heroin/Fentanyl

(GLEN BURNIE, MD) – Mary- also charged with numerous traf- vidually packaged, along with a land State Police arrested and fic citations including driving pill bottle containing additional charged two suspects with drug with a suspended and revoked li- capsules of suspected heroin/ violations after a traffic stop on cense. fentanyl. The trooper also report- March 15 in Anne Arundel Coun- ed finding two packages of mari- ty. At approximately 10:45 a.m. on juana weighing a total of 14.8 M, a trooper from the Glen Burnie grams, as well as a large amount James P. Linkous, 31, of Lothian, Barrack stopped a Chevrolet Mal- of cash in a grocery bag on the Maryland, and Josephine B. Tip- ibu for a safety equipment viola- back floor of the vehicle. pett, 25, of Florida, were both tion in the area of the outer loop placed under arrest for various of I-695 at Ritchie High- The vehicle and cash were taken drug charges. way. During the traffic stop, evi- into police custody and both sus- dence was developed that led to a pects were arrested. They are each charged with two probable cause search of the vehi- counts of possession with intent to cle. The incident remains under inves- distribute heroin/fentanyl, two tigation. counts of possession of drug para- The search resulted in the recov- phernalia, and possession of mari- ery of 337 capsules (120 grams) juana. The driver, Linkous, was of suspected heroin/fentanyl indi-

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