Would Schools Be Safer with Armed Officers?

After the Newtown, CT school shooting, Maryland legislators are looking at a number of ways to make schools safer.

Report: Police Aggressively Issue Tickets On ICC

"Police officers are ticketing speeders aggressively,” Montgomery County Councilman Phil Andrews said, according to a report by The Gazette.

Speeders beware, police are ticketing the Intercounty Connector at a high rate. Over the last three months, police officers on the ICC "issued about 10 speeding citations and warnings per day," The Gazette reported, including a total of 887 citations and warnings issued for speeding between October and December. Montgomery County Councilman Phil Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg said he's heard from constituents that “police officers are ticketing speeders aggressively” on the ICC, according to the report. The ICC is patrolled by the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, according to the report. Andrews has been vocal on ICC issues of late, calling the road overpriced and underused in December. The road's 55 mph speed limit has also …

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City, County Police Arrest 13 In Holiday Sting at Lakeforest Mall

Gaithersburg and Montgomery County Police Departments conducted a two day “Holiday Safety” initiative at Lakeforest Mall.

Plain clothed officers from Gaithersburg and Montgomery County police departments arrested 13 people during a two day "Holiday Safety" intitative at Lakeforest Mall, police said Monday afternoon. The initiative, conducted on Nov. 23 and 24 in partnership with mall security, resulted in four people being charged with misdemeaner thefts, three charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia, one charged with possession of alcohol, two had outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court, and three were charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.  “We appreciate the efforts and support of the Gaithersburg police and the Montgomery County police departments during the busy …

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Top Tips for a Safe Halloween

Keep your children, pets and house safe this October 31st.

Oct. 31 is the one day a year on which kids (and many adults) let loose and have fun – dressing up as their favorite sports and music personality, movie star or the more traditional zombies, vampires, ghouls and ghosts. The Montgomery County and Prince George’s Police Forces and Fire Departments as well as the ASPCA have issued a number of tips for keeping children, adults and even pets safe this Halloween. For trick-or-treaters: For Halloween party-goers: For pets:

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County Council Backs School Bus Cameras

Drivers who pass stopped buses will face up to $250 in fines.

Drivers who don't stop for children getting off of school buses will soon face a fine of up to $250 under a law passed by the County Council on Tuesday. The council passed the measure unanimously at its Tuesday meeting, and Councilmember Valerie Ervin said it will send a clear message to drivers that Montgomery County is serious about children's safety. The bill, introduced by Ervin, does not specify a cost, fine amount or number of cameras. Instead, it authorizes Montgomery County Police to consult with the Board of Education on a plan to install cameras on certain buses. County Police Chief Thomas Manger, who joined Ervin and others at a news conference Tuesday, said there's no excuse for ignoring a school bus' stop sign and flashing …

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MoCo Headlines: Headwear Policies and Anti-Gay Fliers Challenged

Get caught up with the latest Montgomery County headlines on Patch.

With editors stationed across Montgomery County, Patch brings you news from many corners of the community. Catch up on headlines you may have missed this week, including news of a new headwear policy at Northwood High School, anti-gay fliers at Wootton and Einstein high schools and gas station thefts in Takoma Park. High School Changes Headwear Policy After Kippah Incident Northwood High School, whose administration required a letter of verification from a rabbi when a student wore a kippah to school at the end of January, has changed its religious headwear policy so that a parent's word is sufficient. Read more on Wheaton Patch. MCPS Superintendent Responds to Anti-Gay Flier Multiple students expressed concern to MCPS Superintendent …

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County Moves Toward Cameras on School Buses

The County Council's Public Safety Committee unanimously endorsed the idea.

Drivers who don't stop for children getting off of school buses could soon face a fine of up to $250 under a bill moving through the County Council.  The council's Public Safety Committee unanimously recommended the bill at its meeting Thursday, and the issue will go before the full council as early as Feb. 7. The bill, introduced by County Councilmember Valerie Ervin, does not specify a cost, fine amount or number of cameras. Instead, it authorizes Montgomery County Police to consult with the Board of Education on a plan to install cameras on certain buses. Councilmember Phil Andrews, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, said the county has issued more than 1,200 citations over the past three years for failure to stop at a bus crossing…

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Danny

8:40 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012

Yep! Communicating in the English language is an important skill.   more ›

Winter Heating Safety Tips

Make sure to check your smoke alarms.

It may be 50 degrees today, but it's bound to get cold again. So Takoma Park Police and the Maryland State Fire Marshal offered tips on heating your house safely in the winter.             Along with these heating tips, check to make sure your smoke alarms are in good working order.

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Takoma Park Police Issue School Safety Tips For Drivers

Make sure school children and crossing guards stay safe with these suggestions.

  Takoma Park Police are reminding drivers and residents that when the clocks were set back, it became darker in the mornings when children are going to school. Please be extra vigilant to ensure the continued safety of our school children and school crossing guards during this time of the year. A crossing guards’ primary responsibility is to facilitate the safe crossing of students to and from school each day in all weather conditions. They are trained and certified in traffic and pedestrian safety. Each one wears a highly visible bright yellow reflective safety vest. Takoma Park Police wants to remind drivers that it is very important to obey the posted speed limit and pay close attention to their surroundings at all times. Within a …

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