P.O. Box 142 — Sykesville, MD 21784

Printable version (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Reprint from Gazette

July 20, 2003

Thanks to everyone who attended the Route 26 Summit sponsored by the Freedom Area Citizens' Council. This type of forum is one of the primary functions of FACC - to educate and inform the people of the Freedom district.

The Freedom Area Citizens' Council (FACC) is an IRS recognized 501(c)(4) non-profit, community organization whose goals are to define, evaluate and advocate issues that affect the Freedom area, by working with government and other organizations to effect positive change. We strive to keep the public informed through planned programs and publications about activities within the county that affect its citizens.

FACC meets monthly, although there was no July meeting since it is a popular vacation time. Recent meetings have included a face-to-face with the County Commissioners, discussions with Neil Ridgely, Zoning Administrator, and Steve Horn, Director of Planning.

In August, FACC will host Carroll County Sheriff Kenneth Tregoning and Major Michael Fischer of the Maryland State Police. Questions have been raised as to whether Freedom has enough law enforcement officers on patrol. The State Police are charged with primary response in the Freedom district, which is called Patrol Sector 9. Sheriff's Deputies are mainly dedicated to process serving for the courts, staffing the detention facility and sometimes preserving the peace by working in tandem with other law enforcement agencies answering calls for assistance from citizens. There are only three deputies assigned to patrol Eldersburg, but some 29 Maryland State Troopers are spread over 5 shifts averaging between 2 and 7 officers total.

The Sheriff's office also has a special investigative unit that works on computer crimes, domestic violence, warrants, and the drug taskforce. According to Crime in Maryland, there were a total of 1,878 offenses reported to the State Police Westminster Barracks exclusive of all municipalities in 2001, which was down about 10% from 2000. The most prevalent crimes reported are theft and domestic violence. Thefts make up nearly 2/3 of all crime reported. However, recent press releases from the Sheriff's office show an increase in drug-related crimes.

FACC invites you to join us at our August 19th meeting to discuss these and other crime issues with our top law enforcement officials and your fellow citizens. FACC meetings are held at the Carrolltown Center's Community Room the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. For more information on this and other FACC programs please visit www.freedomareacitizens.org.