Dear Community Leaders and Members of Anne Arundel County,

We are pleased to share that the initial vision and planning for Crownsville Hospital Park is available for review and feedback. Your input is crucial to ensuring that the final plan reflects the values and needs of all Anne Arundel County residents. Please visit the Anne Arundel County website at aacounty.org/CrownsvillePark to view the presentation. Comments must be submitted via email to crownsville-park-comments@aacounty.org by July 31, 2024, in order to have feedback incorporated into the next phase.

We are looking forward to our next River Days Festival this Saturday at the Annapolis Maritime Museum Park- there are still a few spots remaining, which you can register for here. If you are planning on attending, remember to bring water and sunscreen!

Vincent Moulden

Office of the County Executive

Director, CECS

County Executive Pittman in the Community

1. Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park Public Workshop for the Master Plan | 2. Queenstown Day | 3. Camp HERicane

Follow the County Executive on social media:

Crownsville Advisory Committee Submits 2024 Annual Report

The Crownsville Advisory Committee, the volunteer body responsible for advising the County Executive and County Departments in the planning process of Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park, has released its 2024 Annual Report. The report includes the recommendations from four subcommittees for consideration in the master plan.

“I am truly inspired by the recommendations in the Subcommittee reports, the Advisory Committee report, and the concepts that will be presented by the consultants to the public tonight,” said County Executive Pittman. “The alignment of vision demonstrates to me that all parties are being heard.”

Click here to read the full press release.

The FBI and our local law enforcement partners are investigating a surge of armed robberies, known as “jugging” crimes, at financial institutions in Maryland. At least 21 bank and ATM customers have been victimized by these crimes just in the first week of July.

A majority of the crimes have taken place in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties.

“Jugging” refers to a crime in which a suspect, or group of suspects, targets customers believed to have large amounts of cash. The perpetrators either rob customers while in the parking lot of a bank, credit union, or ATM or follow them to their next location.

So far in 2024, the FBI Baltimore Field Office has received reports of around seven dozen jugging offenses with more than half of those incidents reported in June and July.

The FBI urges the public to remain vigilant and keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Always be vigilant when withdrawing or depositing money from a bank or ATM.
• Look around for anyone who appears suspicious or is loitering in the area.
• Pay attention to individuals backed into parking spaces who do not exit their vehicles to conduct business.
• Don’t leave your car or the building if you observe suspicious vehicles in the parking lot or parked nearby.
• Report any suspicious activities immediately.
• Conceal Your Cash: When leaving the bank, ensure your cash is not visible. Place it in a secure, inconspicuous location such as a pocket or a bag.
• Vary Your Routine: Avoid regular patterns in your banking habits. Change the times and locations you visit the bank.
• Drive Directly to Your Next Destination: If you suspect you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station or a crowded, well-lit area, and call 911.
• Avoid Distractions: Do not engage in activities that might distract you, such as using your phone, until you are in a safe place.

If you have any information related to recent bank jugging incidents, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI or submit an anonymous tip through tips.FBI.gov.

Click here to read the full press release.

Anne Arundel County Hosts 41st Annual Back-to-School Program

Seeking donors, volunteers and partners to assist 500 elementary students and 12 middle schools in need

The Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services (AACoDSS) and Anne

Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) will coordinate the 41st annual Back-to-School Program to provide school supplies to families/children in financial need. Approximately 35,000 Anne Arundel County public school students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and many of these families find it difficult to afford the required school supplies

their children need to start the school year prepared and ready to work.

The current need for 2024 is 500 backpacks for elementary school students and monetary donations, which average about $12,000, for school supplies for 12 middle schools. The success of the program is contingent on donors who are matched with students and provided with the child’s name, grade and school so they may provide backpacks and other supplies as necessary. Alternatively, donors may choose to contribute monetary donations to purchase backpacks/supplies. Partnering with this program provides Anne Arundel County families, churches, community groups and businesses with the unique opportunity to team up and fill the gap for families in need.

“It is not enough that some of our students are equipped to succeed–as a community we must ensure every student has the tools they need to be successful. When we come together to support our children, we are investing not only in them but our community as a whole.” said Rachael Maconachy, Director for the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services (AACoDSS).

“Every child should have the resources they need to succeed in school,” Pittman

said. “I want to thank the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services and the Board of Education for partnering on this program and for continually delivering for our students.”

Learn more about the program and how you can help.

We invite you to participate in an important research study on the perception and effectiveness of Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs) in policing within Anne Arundel County. This study is completely anonymous and conducted in collaboration with Pennsylvania State University and the Anne Arundel County Police Department.

Please take a few moments to complete the survey. Click here to get started.

We aim to understand how BWCs impact police transparency, accountability, community relations, and behavior. Your insights will help guide policies and best practices for BWCs.

Thank you for your time and contribution!

The Ethics Commission administers, interprets, and enforces the Anne Arundel County Public Ethics Law to ensure the impartiality and independent judgment of County employees and elected officials, and to prevent improper influence, or even the appearance of improper influence, so that the residents of Anne Arundel County can maintain their highest trust in the conduct of County officials. Did you know that during CY 2023, the commission reviewed and responded to over 70 Inquiries from officials, employees, and residents? The commission requested and reviewed over 200 disclosure statements from officials, employees, and board and commission members. In addition, the commission processed and reviewed approximately 240 lobbyist registrations and reports. The commission also requires all elected officials, county employees, and board and commission members to complete online ethics training that must be renewed every 5 years. You can see all the other great work the Ethics commission and the other departments are doing, by visiting Department Performance on OpenArundel. 

OpenPerformance is a piece of what is available on OpenArundel, a collection of tools, reports and data developed to empower county residents with information and to encourage civic engagement. We are interested in hearing from you and how you use the information available on OpenArundel. Please take a moment to tell us what you think by clicking here to fill out the survey. 

If you have any questions or want to know more, contact ArundelStat@aacounty.org.

County Council Meeting

Below is a list of legislation receiving a public hearing at the upcoming County Council meeting. Let your voice be heard during the public comment period for each of these! For meeting schedules, legislation links, and other relevant information about the Council please click here.

Monday, September 3rd, 2024

Please note: the legislation scheduled to be heard at the next County Council meeting is subject to change. Click here for an up-to-date list and to see other legislation that has been introduced but is not scheduled for a hearing at the next meeting.

The Nonprofit Center is a county initiative that supports nonprofit organizations to advance the health and well-being of our residents.

NPC Organization Spotlight 

The Nonprofit Center regularly highlights the great work of local nonprofit organizations on its website. In the spotlight this week is Club 164. Read about the organization and its programs here.

External Training Opportunities

These two FREE training opportunities are suitable for beginners in the nonprofit sector. 

Create a free account to register for Candid Learning’s online orientation coming up July 23rd from 2:00-3:30pm: Introduction to Finding Grants. 

Go in person to Busch Annapolis Library on July 31st from 2:00-3:30pm for Anne Arundel County Public Libraries’ next monthly workshop: How to Start a Nonprofit Organization. 

Grant Opportunities

Campbell Foundation

The Campbell Foundation was established in 1998 to improve the conditions of America’s largest and most ecologically diverse and productive estuary systems: the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays. The Foundation offers two unsolicited grant cycles per year. Individual grants vary in size, but will be no greater than $25,000. They accept proposals for any type of program in any geography. Learn more about previous recipients here. The deadline for this cycle is August 30, 2024.

Click here for details.

Unity Gardens Fall Grants - Application Deadline: August 1, 2024

Unity Gardens is currently accepting proposals until August 1, 2024, for native gardening

projects in Anne Arundel County. Unity Gardens awards grants to homeowners’ associations, places of worship, and local nonprofits to complete citizen-led conservation landscaping projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. These projects include rain gardens, erosion control projects, and pollinator gardens-- all using trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses that are native to Maryland.

Click here to learn more.

CFAAC Grants 4 Teachers Application Deadline: September 27, 2024

Grants 4 Teachers funds highly creative ideas that otherwise would be impossible to implement in the classroom due to school system funding constraints. This CFAAC grant funds teachers' creative ideas to stimulate and inspire students’ learning. 

Click here for details.

CFAAC Environment Anne Arundel Fund Application Deadline: July 26, 2024 

CFAAC’s Environment Anne Arundel Fund, established in 2014, supports Anne Arundel County nonprofit organizations working to protect and improve the environment in Anne Arundel County and the Chesapeake Bay. 

Click here for details.

CFAAC Women and Girls Fund - Application Deadline August 23, 2024

CFAAC grants from the Women and Girls Fund will be used to support nonprofits that help women and girls pursue positive, productive lives by helping remove barriers for women and girls, increase their economic security, enhance their well-being and safety, and empower them to make positive life decisions for themselves and their families. 

Click here for details.

Residents can view a calendar of upcoming meetings in their area, review site plans and other documents, attend virtual meetings, watch previously recorded meetings, and provide public comments directly to the Office of Planning and Zoning - all through the new Community Meetings website. See a partial list of upcoming meetings below and click here for more details and to view the full calendar.

Westridge Reserve Parcel

Property Location 84B Kennedy Drive, Severna Park, MD 21146

Meeting Date: 2024-07-18 Virtual | Time: 6:00 PM

133 Boone Trail

Property Location 133 Boone Trail, Severna Park, MD 21146

Meeting Date: 2024-07-17

Virtual | Time: 6:30 PM

Greenlife Senior Communities

Property Location Central Ave, Edgewater

Meeting Date: 2024-07-18

Virtual | Time: 6:00 PM

Whitehall Road Property. Lot 3

Property Location 1430 Whitehall Road Annapolis, MD 21409

Meeting Date: 2024-07-16

Virtual | Time: 6:00 PM

3726 Camp Letts Road

Property Location 3726 Camp Letts Road, Edgewater, MD 21037

Meeting Date: 2024-07-16

Virtual | Time: 6:00 PM

Two Rivers PUD - Parcel OR, Phase 1

Property Location Located at the Intersection of Meyers Station Road & Grays Ford Road

Meeting Date: 2024-07-17

In-Person | Time: 6:00 PM

View this Update as a Webpage

Newsletter edited by Vincent Moulden and Hannah Thompson.

For media inquiries, please contact Renesha Alphonso.