Public Safety: Our Most Solemn Obligation
Our proposed FY2013 budget includes $2.2 billion in public safety improvements--a $201 million increase over the previous administration.
Working together over the past few years, we’ve driven violent crime and homicides down to their lowest rates in Maryland since the 1970s. With a balanced approach, we are continuing to invest in improving public safety throughout every jurisdiction in Maryland.
Historic Reductions in Crime
In 2007, we implemented the Violence Prevention initiative. This program targets nearly 2,000 of the State’s most violent offenders using a common-sense risk assessment tool to identify and more intensively supervise those most at risk of committing or becoming the victim of a homicide or non-fatal shooting.
As a result of these efforts, violent crime is down 17% since 2006 and homicides are at their 
lowest level since 1986. Our FY2013 budget includes $104 million for the Violence Prevention Initiative and other prevention efforts.
Supporting Law Enforcement
Our FY2013 budget continues to protect those who protect us by providing more than $45 million for our police officers and $10 million for fire and rescue. The budget also includes $119 million for the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention to coordinate statewide public safety initiatives, ensure effective communication and information-sharing, and provide valuable resources to the police on the streets.
To maintain a strong State Police force, our budget fully funds a State trooper complement and provides $38.7 million to purchase up to two new helicopters.
Marylanders Plant Trees: Inmate Work Program
Last May, Governor O’Malley joined inmates to meet the goal of planting more than one million seedlings and oysters as part of the Maryland Forest Brigade. The Forest Brigade exceeded its goal, planting approximately 2,000 acres of trees across the State of Maryland.
These initiatives help inmates learn new skills, diversify talents, and become productive members of society once they complete their rehabilitation. By putting inmates to work greening the environment and preventing future crime, the Maryland Forest Brigade helps secure Maryland’s future.
Building a More Resilient Maryland
The most lasting and lifesaving tribute we can give to those who died on 9/11 is to better prepare our State – and therefore our nation – for the likelihood of the next attack, and the inevitability of the next hurricane or tornado.
For the last ten years, we have been pursuing 12 core capacities to improve homeland security. These capacities evolved out of conversations in the aftermath of 9/11 and they continue to evolve. Read more about the 12 Core Capacities here.
“There is nothing more important that any of us do in Government than improving public safety.” - Governor O’Malley
Related News
- O'Malley: Baltimore Believed, and Change has Come Baltimore Sun, January 2012
- Knitting Behind Bars, Learning Focus and Patience, NPR, January 2011
- State Touts Programs at Patuxent, WBAL, January 2012
- Governors of Maryland, Virginia, DC mayor say they are pleased with Metro safety improvements Washington Post, January 2012
- Violent Crime Drops in U.S., Maryland Takoma Park Patch, December 2011
- Governor and First Lady O'Malley Join Facebook and Time Warner's Cartoon Network for National Bullying Prevention Month Kick-Off October 2011
Accomplishments
- Together, we've driven down violent crime to its lowest rate since 1975.
- We have the lowest rate of homicides ever reported.
- We have the lowest reported robberies ever reported.
- We have the lowest rate of vehicle thefts ever reported.
- We have the lowest rate of total crime ever reported.
- Reductions in the State’s DNA backlog have achieved more than 2,500 positive identifications, taking violent offenders off the streets.
Always Improving: Goals to Move Forward
Reduce Violent Crime in Maryland by 20% by End 2012
Because we are committed to moving our State forward and delivering safer neighborhoods for every Maryland family, we’ve set the goal of reducing violent crime in Maryland by 20 percent by 2012.
Reduce Violent Crimes Committed Against Women and Children by 25% by End 2012
To improve public safety and enhance the quality of life for all Marylanders, particularly for Maryland’s women and children, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has set a goal and is implementing a plan to reduce violent crime against women and children by 25% by the end of 2012.
Make Maryland the National Leader in Homeland Security Preparedness by End 2012
To ensure Maryland’s safety, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has set a goal and is implementing a robust plan to lead the nation in homeland security preparedness by the end of 2012.