Crime & Safety

The Week's Best of Police and Fire Reporting

Patch reports on cops, crime and occasional chaos in your community.

Skull forensics, an attack-by-live-power line, and a tactical squad deployed to an empty house marked Maryland police and fire news in the wake of Hurricane Irene. And it's not even Halloween. Keep your finger on the pulse of all that's happening in and around your community with Patch's fire and police beat.


Police said they believe an incorrect report led to the mobilization of the department's tactical officers, as well as the evacuation of several residents in a townhouse community on Faulkner Ridge Circle. Get the details on Columbia Patch.


At a ceremony on James N. Robey Public Safety Training night, portraits of five men from the Ellicott City and Lisbon branches were unveiled before families of the fallen, current members of the volunteer fire departments and the community. The portraits of each of the men who lost his life in the 1950’s and '60’s will now be part of the history of the HCDFRS, as well as reminders of what the men sacrificed,  according to Fire Chief William Goddard. See photos of the commemoration on Ellicott City Patch.

Find out what's happening in Columbiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Though Hurricane Irene is long gone, Elkridge residents should keep their guard up when people come to their homes offering storm damage-related services, advises Howard County’s Office of Consumer Affairs. Tips on how to disaster proof your wallet from con artists are on Elkridge Patch. Meanwhile, police remind residents to also , as impostors are responsible for at least four burglaries in Baltimore County since the beginning of August, a Baltimore County police statement said. Details on Owings Mills Patch


A certified forensic artist with the Baltimore County Police examined the victim’s skull and was able to develop a composite drawing of what the victim may have looked like. Earlier this month, State Police homicide investigators received a tip that ultimately led them to the name of 29-year-old Toni Vogel. Eldersburg Patch has the story.

Find out what's happening in Columbiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A D.C. attorney attacked a man with a live power line knocked downed by Hurricane Irene during an altercation in which the lawyer used his car as a battering ram against his alleged victim, police said. Get the full story on Colesville Patch.

Seven people were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries after three vehicles crashed—and two overturned—on northbound Interstate 795 this week. The collision during rush hour caused traffic to back up to the Baltimore Beltway. See video and pictures of the report on Owings Mills Patch.

 

 


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