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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 

Public Safety Updates

Crisis Intervention

We’re making progress on expanding and improving tools to respond to individuals facing a mental or behavioral health crisis in our community. At a Monday joint Committee session, we learned that Police (MCPD) and Health and Human Services (HHS) are formalizing a partnership to co-respond to emergency calls in order to best de-escalate, serve, and provide wraparound services to those in need of support. I appreciate the collaboration with these departments and County Executive Marc Elrich on our legislation that spurred this action. I look forward to next steps on Crisis Intervention Teams and improving our existing clinician-only response.

Councilmember Luedtke and colleagues pictured at February 5 Health and Human Services and Public Safety Committee session

Expanding Drone as First Responder

The County’s Drone as First Responder pilot is already proving to support quicker and safer responses to crime and public safety issues in Silver Spring and Wheaton. I joined Upcounty District Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe and Sidney Katz to request additional funding to expand this program to Montgomery Village, Gaithersburg, and Germantown in next fiscal year’s budget.

Chief Jones Announces Retirement

MCPD Chief Marcus Jones announced that he will retire this summer after 38 years of service. Thank you, Chief Jones, for your decades of leadership in community policing and significant contributions to public safety in our County. 

Even before joining the Council, I saw firsthand Chief Jones' openness to innovation and his careful stewardship of MCPD. Chief Jones' retirement effective July 1 will leave big shoes to fill. Our next leader must be committed to building direct partnerships with community members and using that insight to provide fair, just, dependable, and equitable public safety for every neighborhood. I spoke more about Chief Jones’ retirement and the search for the next chief with ABC 7.

MCPS Oversight

This has been a difficult and challenging time for many in MCPS. As I said in my statement after it was announced that Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight and the Board of Education agreed to separate, there are still many unanswered questions to which the public deserves explanations. 

The Council’s Audit and Education & Culture Committees on Thursday are set to have a session on the latest Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report, during which I will continue to seek the answers needed for the transparency and accountability that MCPS and the Board of Education committed to last year. 

Black History Month

Here at the Council, we’re celebrating local artists and educators who are sharing and preserving Black history and culture through art, dance, and education in recognition of this year's national theme for Black History Month: African Americans and the Arts. Check out the video spotlighting the awesome things Montgomery County residents are doing:

Click the image to watch the County Council's video for Black History Month

And the celebration continues across the County all month - check out Montgomery Parks events, Montgomery County Public Libraries events and book picks, Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs tributes, and events featured by Visit Montgomery.

Human Trafficking Prevention

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Traffickers use violence, threats, deception, and other manipulative tactics to force and coerce adults and children. Human trafficking disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minorities, women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, vulnerable migrants, and other historically marginalized and underserved populations.

County Executive Elrich, Councilmember Glass, and I presented a proclamation for Human Trafficking Prevention Month to shed light on this issue and the work the County is doing to address it. 

I'm proud to be a member of the County’s Human Trafficking Prevention Committee, working to eliminate human trafficking and improve services for victims. Thank you to our government and nonprofit partners supporting victims and helping to erase the "mental gap" when it comes to the many forms of trafficking. 

We all play a role in ending human trafficking. Learn the signs and how to support victims and survivors. 

If you or someone you know needs support, reach out.

Councilmember Luedtke presents a proclamation for Human Trafficking Prevention Month

9-8-8: Free, Confidential, 24/7

EveryMind, one of our region’s foremost mental and behavioral resources, debunks a common myth about 9-8-8, the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, in a recent blog post Understanding the Full Scope of the 9-8-8 Lifeline.

There is a common misconception that 9-8-8 serves only those who are experiencing a crisis or contemplating suicide. On the contrary, 9-8-8 is a free, confidential, and 24/7 service that can be valuable for anyone struggling with hardship and needing support. 

In the Government and In the Community

Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year begins February 10 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon! Check out this guide to some of Montgomery County’s Lunar New Year celebrations.  

Have Your Say in the Future of Johnson's Local Park

Let Montgomery Parks know your thoughts on the renovation of the historic Johnson’s Local Park - take the survey! 

Tax Filing Support

The official tax filing period began January 29. If you are a Montgomery County resident and your household income is $60,000 or less annually, you are eligible for free assistance with tax preparation through the VITA program, regardless of your immigration status.

Important Free Health Resources

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the Maryland Living Well Center of Excellence, is offering a free diabetes management program. Beginning February 22, the six-week program will be held virtually from 5:30-7:30 p.m. each Thursday.

Thanks to Access HEARS, 400 over-the-counter hearing aids and PSAPs (personal sound amplification products) are available to County residents 60 and older with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss and an annual income below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Devices are on a first come, first served basis. Participants must provide proof of age, residence, and income.

Around the Community...

Congratulations to the Willard Family on their induction into the Maryland Agriculture Hall of Fame and to the organizers and sponsors of this year’s Taste of Agriculture celebration.

It was wonderful to see the difference Loving Care Adult Medical Day Care in Gaithersburg is making in the lives of those who have medical, cognitive, and emotional needs. Thank you Loving Care and our County’s tremendous network of Medical Day Cares for taking care of some of our most vulnerable community members in their time of need.

It was an honor to celebrate the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire/Rescue Association at their annual legislative reception. Thank you to MCVFRA for your dedication and service in keeping our communities safe.