Residents, Neighbors, Family, and Friends:

As your City Council's Public Safety Chair of our Public Safety Standing Committee, our Fire and Police Departments and Office of Emergency Management, have each prepared a 2-hour and in depth presentation to our Committee, which is also available for viewing by our residents and the public.

The first presentation was on Monday, January 24, 2022, 4-6 p.m., from our Fire Department.  Find out everything you ever wanted to know about our fire department, and fire services--extremely informative and enlightening.  Question:  So why did we possibly need up to 55 firefighters at our recent fire in Ward 3 on Bunche Street?  Tune in here and you'll find out all of the answers.

The next presentation was on Monday, February 7, 2022, 4-6 p.m., from our Police Department. If you missed it, tune in here.

And the presentation will continue on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 3:30-5:30 p.m., from our Police Department. 

Join in at any time to our Public Safety Standing Committee meetings, normally scheduled the 1st Monday of the month, from 4-5:30 p.m. On the City of Annapolis YouTube Channel or Verizon, Channel 34; and check Comcast.

-- Rhonda

ANNAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT TELEPHONE REPORTING

NEW VISIT ANNAPOLIS & ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY MICROSITE PROMOTES BLACK HISTORY 365 DAYS A YEAR

The Banneker-Douglass Museum (BDM) and Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) have announced the creation of a newly launched Black History 365 microsite that makes it easy for interested individuals to celebrate the heritage and culture of the people of the African Diaspora in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County all year long.

Spearheaded by the Banneker-Douglass Museum and curated by Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Black History 365 is a compilation of videos, blogs, resources, and events from a myriad of sources that provides insights into the lives of generations of individuals of the

African Diaspora.

Banneker-Douglass Museum Executive Director Channel Compton says the ever-evolving site shares the stories of a people who have made significant contributions to Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, the State of Maryland, and the nation. As Compton sees it, “If we better understand the past, we can better craft the future of our dreams. If we learn from what has been, we can better envision what could be. Individuals of the African Diaspora have an ongoing story to tell. The site is designed to help build understanding among all peoples."

A BLACK HISTORY MONTH CONVERSATION

The next presentation of The State of Black Annapolis: A Black History Month Conversation will be "The Future", held on February 15th from

6-8 pm at the Busch Annapolis Library and virtually.

The State of Black Annapolis is a three-part speaker series featuring the brightest minds locally and regionally in the fields of economics, education, elections and entertainment. The city will gather feedback from experts in the fields of study as well as dialogue with event attendees. Registration is encouraged. This program will also be available virtually at: Youtube.com/CityofAnnapolis and at Facebook.com/CityofAnnapolis. 

GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESSES

State Grants Available to Businesses Impacted by September 2021Tornado

An emergency grant program to assist small businesses affected by disaster or emergency events for: renovations; repairs and replacement of furniture, fixtures and equipment; inventory replacement, and; certain other costs associated with recovery of a small business, including working capital.

"WORKING HARD FOR YOU, ANNAPOLIS"

Check out this video of "Plowing the Streets of Annapolis" from January 7, 2022!

PASS, PICK & PLAY DONATION DRIVE

following locations: "Pip” Moyer Recreation Center, Key School, Calvary United Methodist Church, and Discoveries: The Library in the Mall.

The distribution event will take place Saturday, March 26 at the "Pip" Moyer Recreation Center from 10:00 am to noon. If you would like to learn more about the “Pass, Pick & Play” initiative or about the many other events being hosted by the Annapolis Recreation and Parks this month, check out their most recent newsletter!

DID YOU KNOW? MLK, JR. SERIES

What Does Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mean to Those Persons of the Jewish Faith Today?

Israel Dresner, Rabbi Who Fought for Civil Rights, Dies at 92

Israel S. Dresner, a New Jersey rabbi who worked alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement, was first arrested for civil disobedience in 1947, at age 18, when he joined a protest in New York City in support of the Jewish refugees aboard the Exodus, the ship turned away from the shores of the British mandate of Palestine. He joined his final public protest at age 87, according to his family, the day President Donald Trump was inaugurated.

What Does Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mean to Latinos Today?

We know that Dr. King inspired many Latinos, including Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta... But what does his legacy mean for us today? Has his dream been achieved?

Remember...

Rhonda’s Public Safety “Mantra”:

Rhonda Pindell Charles, Esq. Alderwoman/Councilwoman, Ward 3, Annapolis, MD City Council AND Chair, Public Safety Standing Committee, Annapolis City Council--Police, Fire (including EMS/Paramedics), and the Office of Emergency Management

By law, the Public Safety Committee shall consider matters affecting public safety in the City. The Public Safety Committee shall review all proposed amendments to Title 11 (Public Peace, Morals and Welfare) and Title 12 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the City Code. First and foremost: The public’s safety is paramount. Moreover, as this legal obligation relates to the community’s residents, businesses, and visitors, the public’s safety, including the public’s peace, morals, and welfare, is best assured when its residents are: 1 - healthy; 2 - informed (i.e., educated); 3 - meaningfully engaged in the enhancement of our professional and volunteer workforce; 4 - good money managers of their finances; 5 - residing in safe and affordable housing communities; 6 - mobile (i.e., easily able to access adequate and affordable transportation when needed); 7 - pursuing social, community, entertainment, the arts, historical, and recreational activities; 8 - as well as possibly choosing to enlighten themselves spiritually. Therefore, the Public Safety Committee is committed to working as “One Annapolis”—an Annapolis that values everyOne; and where "HEALTHY LIVING STARTS HERE.".

• City of Annapolis, Department of Planning & Zoning, Office of Economic Development, link for businesses: 

https://www.annapolis.gov/598/Economic-Development

• Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce, link for businesses:

https://www.annearundelchamber.org