Annapolis Public Safety Committee Meeting - October 21, 2026

The Public Safety Committee of the Annapolis City Council convened on October 21, 2026, at 4:51 p.m. (scheduled for 4:45 p.m.) with Alderwoman O'Neill presiding. All members present (Alderman Smith Brown and Alderman Conti) approved the agenda and the minutes from the September 30, 2026 special meeting. The committee discussed two pieces of legislation and received a detailed presentation on Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants funding $899,000 in public safety projects. The Fire and Police Chiefs provided updates on their departments' activities and upcoming equipment acquisitions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the meeting agenda by voice vote.
• Approved the minutes of the September 30, 2026 Public Safety Committee special meeting.

Discussion Items

Legislation O-26-26: Special Residential Parking Districts – District Lettering

Alderwoman O'Neill, the sponsor, explained that the ordinance re‑identifies parking districts 1‑5 as districts A‑E to eliminate confusion caused by district numbering overlapping ward boundaries. Without further discussion, the committee voted unanimously to recommend favorable passage to the full City Council.

Legislation O-28-26: Department of Transportation Fines and Allowing Fine Waivers

Assistant City Attorney Carrie Berger raised significant concerns about the draft ordinance. She noted that as written it applies to all violations under Title 12, including misdemeanors (which can only be waived by a state's attorney), whereas the intended scope is limited to parking citations. She also pointed out that using "city employee" should probably be "city official" to include elected officials, and that allowing the City Council to waive fines could blur separation of powers and create equity issues. She recommended returning to the existing parking fine section with targeted amendments. Alderman Smith Brown moved to postpone action on O‑28‑26 and to direct the Law Office to work with the committee to draft an amendment for discussion at the next Public Safety Committee meeting. The motion carried unanimously.

General Discussion: Office of Emergency Management – UASI Grant Projects

Director Kevin Simmons of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), joined by Grants Coordinator Kyle Kowski, presented the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant. Simmons noted that Annapolis has received $5.9 million in UASI awards since 2016. The FY 2025 grant cycle provides $899,000 for ten regional readiness projects at no direct cost to the city. Key projects include:

• Planner Contractor ($299,000): To update the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and potentially the Continuity of Operations Plan. The Center for Cyber Health and Hazard Strategies is the prospective vendor. Estimated cost is $98,250 for the plan and $20,000 for a tabletop exercise.
• OEM Logistics Vehicle ($65,000): Purchase of a pickup truck to replace a fire‑department surplus vehicle.
• Mobile Command Unit Sustainment ($40,000): Annual maintenance and communications equipment.
• Fire Department Hazmat Unit Sustainment ($21,000): Replacement of sensors, calibration, and other equipment.
• Fire Department Technical Rescue Sustainment ($10,000): Upgrades to harnesses and rigging for rope, high‑angle, and confined space rescue.
• Bomb Squad Robot ($235,000): Replacement of the current large robot, which is 17 years old, enhancing safety for explosive‑device operations.
• Bomb Squad Sustainment ($60,000): Ongoing equipment needs, such as portable X‑ray systems.
• Annapolis Fire and Police K9 Support ($5,000): Joint canine training and equipment for explosives and narcotics detection.
• Annapolis Vehicle Barriers ($100,000): Deployable vehicle‑stopping barriers mounted on a trailer. The initial order covers eight barriers; a second batch (eight to ten barriers) is expected in FY 2026. The barriers can be set up by one person and can be linked to create gates. They will be color‑matched and may carry city logos after November 2026.
• Law Enforcement PPE ($64,000): First‑aid supplies, tourniquets, quick‑clot, and hypothermia blankets for officers' vehicles.

Simmons noted that the performance period runs from September 2025 to June 2028. The grant award was delayed by litigation between the state and federal government but was finally confirmed in October 2025.

Fire and Police Department Updates

Fire Chief Doug Romaly announced that the city's new fireboat is scheduled for delivery on October 28, 2026. He also reported that the upcoming Monday City Council agenda includes budget transfers for a port security grant to purchase an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for search and rescue, and a grant to replace three cardiac monitor defibrillators and 15 AEDs.

Acting Police Chief Magazine summarized the results of the city's 2026 Summer Crime Plan. Year‑over‑year reductions were achieved in all tracked crime categories: gun‑violence incidents fell from 18 in summer 2025 (including four contact shootings and one homicide) to 6 in 2026 (all shots‑fired incidents with no contact shootings or homicides). Community‑policing events increased. Chief Magazine credited patrol officers, detectives, community information, and technology for the improvements.

The committee also discussed personnel changes (Captain Howard's departure and Acting Captain Ryan Holby's assumption of the Operations Investigations role) and previewed topics for the November committee meeting: police use of artificial intelligence and robots, regulation of e‑bikes, local ICE enforcement policies, and a police department staffing study from 2024.

Key Outcomes

• Recommendation of O‑26‑26: Favorable recommendation to full City Council (unanimous).
• Postponement of O‑28‑26: Action deferred; law office to draft amendment for consideration at the next Public Safety Committee meeting.
• Grant Information Received: The committee acknowledged the $899,000 UASI grant projects and the contributions of the Office of Emergency Management, Fire Department, and Police Department.