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Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Leading on Public Safety Innovation

I had the opportunity last week to discuss Montgomery County's Drone as First Responder program with County leaders from around the State at the annual Maryland Association of Counties conference. I explained how we're expanding this technology to the Upcounty, how it's working to fill in public safety gaps as departments around the region face officer shortages, and how community input shaped our program's rules and procedures in order to protect the privacy of individuals.

Montgomery County is the largest jurisdiction in the country putting this technology to use, and it's now in testing in the Montgomery Village, Gaithersburg, and Germantown area after successful pilots in Silver Spring and Wheaton. 

It's a great example of allowing our talented people to innovate while listening to the concerns of our community.

Councilmember Luedtke and panelists discuss Montgomery County's Drone as First Responder program. Photo via Maryland Matters.

For example: It was direct community input that led to Police creating a rule that the camera on each drone must be turned off and pointed skyward on the way to or from an emergency call for service.

This and other important privacy and legal considerations came up in our discussion last week. Read more and check out the data from the program so far. I'm encouraged that officials from other jurisdictions around Maryland have expressed interest in a similar capability for their public safety systems.

Shady Grove Road Safety Walk

Following a tragic fatal crash earlier this month, join us and residents of communities near Shady Grove Road and Briardale Road on Tuesday, August 27 from 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. as we discuss needed traffic safety improvements in this corridor.

We will be joined at the Shady Grove Road and Briardale Road intersection by Department of Transportation and Police officials as we continue our advocacy for lower speed limits, a change in State law that would make this stretch of road eligible for speed cameras, and other commonsense engineering upgrades. Reach out for more details.

Housing Town Halls

Example of a multi-unit housing structure, via Montgomery Planning

Council President Andrew Friedson and Montgomery Planning will host a series of community listening sessions around the County to get your thoughts and feedback on Planning's recommendations in its Attainable Housing Strategies Initiative.

Montgomery County - like many around the region and country - is facing a critical shortage of housing that is driving up prices to own or rent and making our communities increasingly unaffordable. Planning looked at models from elsewhere that allow more flexibility for duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes built at similar scales to single-family homes. 

The Council wants to hear from you. Sign up here or below and don't hesitate to reach out to us if you or your community group wants to talk more.

In the Community...

Councilmember Luedtke and colleagues take part in the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair 4-H Parade

The "Unofficial" End of Summer and First Day of School

Last week, we celebrated the 75th Montgomery County Agricultural Fair. Thank you to the local 4-H Clubs for hosting us during the parade and to all the volunteers and participants who make this such a special showcase of local farmers every summer!

Of course, when the fair ends it's almost time to start the new school year. Thank you to our educators who have been preparing this week ahead of the first day of the 2024-2025 academic year on Monday. Check out the MCPS Back to School Fair at Westfield Wheaton on Saturday, August 24 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and be sure to use the free shuttle service to the event from around the County.

International Overdose Awareness Day

Join Montgomery County families and loved ones for this important event as we honor the memory of those lost to substance use and recommit to supporting those with mental health and substance use disorders. This resource fair, recovery event, and vigil will be August 29 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. in Rockville. Learn more.

Jeremiah Park and the MCPS Bus Depot

The next community meeting on the project to revitalize the MCPS bus depot on Crabbs Branch Way is set for September 9 from 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. in Derwood. Stop by to see the latest on the potential redevelopment of the site to include a modified depot, the long-promised Jeremiah Park, community-serving retail, and new housing.

Community Solar on the Farm

Learn more about this exciting renewable energy project at Free Rein Farm in District 7. The County's Green Bank provides financing to support making solar, green energy, and energy efficiency projects possible for a variety of different types of properties and land. This is a tremendous example of a local partnership for the greater good.