Thursday, April 18, 2013
The agreement comes after the organization accused Laurel Police of excessive force and racial targeting.
The Laurel Police Department and the Prince George's County branch of the NAACP are set to sign a mediation agreement Thursday "that will enhance community relations in Laurel," according to city officials. The U.S. Department of Justice, which oversaw the formation of the agreement, will also participate in the signing event. In September of 2012, the Prince George's County branch of the NAACP urged the DOJ to investigate claims by city residents that Laurel Police had violated their civil and constitutional rights and unfairly targeted African Americans and other minorities. That appeal came about a month after a video surfaced showing a Laurel police officer striking a handcuffed man. The State's Attorney for Prince George's County …
Monday, March 11, 2013
The blaze—the third at a playground in Laurel in eight days—caused up to $100,000 in damage at Emancipation Community Park.
Laurel's third playground fire in a week destroyed a set of equpiment at Emancipation Community Park Monday afternoon, officials said. The blaze, which began shortly before 4:30 p.m., follows the destruction of a playground at Discovery Community Park on March 3 and the arrest of two juveniles Friday night for allegedly burning part of a playground at Granville Gude Park. According to City of Laurel spokesman Pete Piringer, Laurel firefighters arrived at the park—located at 8th Street and West Street—to find the playground "fully engulfed in flame." It took crews about 10 minutes to extinguish the blaze, Piringer said. No injuries were reported, but the damage is estimated at $80,000 to $100,000. Laurel police and Prince George's County …
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
The incident occurred Sunday evening in the 6900 block of Scotch Drive.
Authorities say the driver of an 18-wheeler fled the scene of an accident Sunday evening after hitting a lamppost and fire hydrant in the 6900 block of Scotch Drive. According to Laurel police, Joseph Donald Warman, 63, of Troy, NY was trying to exit the street—located just off of Old Sandy Spring Road—when the tractor-trailer he was driving hit the two stationary objects. Warman then fled the scene, police said, but a resident followed his vehicle and gave authorities information on where it was going. Maryland State Police later pulled the big rig over on I-95. Warman was cited with leaving the scene of an accident and several additional traffic violations, police said.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
A number of thefts were reported across the city in the week prior to the holiday.
Several thefts were reported around the city of Laurel last week. This information comes from the city of Laurel's Police Department. Theft from Motor Vehicle: Theft was reported in the following locations as well: Shoplifting was also reported at a business in the 200 block of Fort Meade Road on Dec. 19.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Friday's Connecticut school shooting weighed on the minds of those that gave their guns to police in Prince George's County.
Prince George's County Police and Laurel Police collected more than 150 guns Saturday during a buyback program in Laurel, The Washington Post reports. Residents handed guns over to law enforcement officials in exchange for gift cards. Though the program was planned before Friday's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, many of those that turned weapons over to police said they didn't want the firearms to fall into the wrong hands, according to the paper. The massacre in Connecticut left 26 students and staff at the school dead, including 20 young children. Two previous gun buyback events in Prince George's County have collected more than 300 guns, police said. Read the full story at The Washington Post.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The incident occurred Wednesday night in downtown Laurel.
A barricade situation in downtown Laurel is under control after police responded to an "upset" man who had locked himself inside an apartment, WTOP reports. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. Wednesday in a two-story building along Main Street, according to the station. Neighboring buildings were evacuated, as authorities believed the man might have had a weapon. Police now have the suspect in custody. Main Street was closed between 7th Street and Route 1.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Council approves motion to amend charter to clear way for bargaining.
Collective bargaining rights could soon be a reality for officers in the Laurel Police Department. Earlier this week, the mayor and City Council passed a motion to amend the city’s charter to allow for collective bargaining, reports The Gazette. Sign up for the Laurel Patch newsletter here and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for instant news updates and community conversations. The change wouldn’t take effect until Nov. 13, according to the clerk to the City Council. City officials also would need to adopt a labor code for the work terms of the collective bargaining.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Police will participate in annual Cops on Rooftops fundraiser.
Laurel Police will again climb to the top of the city’s Dunkin’ Donuts' rooftop to raise funds for Special Olympics. For 31 hours on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30, Laurel Police will sit atop the Dunkin' Donuts store at 14903 Baltimore Avenue to raise awareness about the Special Olympics. Those not fortunate enough to wear a badge will stay a bit closer to the ground as spectators will be treated to entertainment from a DJ face painters, clowns, a moon bounce, prizes for kids, and a $1 raffle to win phenomenal gift baskets. The Laurel Police Department has participated in the event for the last few years. Those wishing to contribute can donate at the Dunkin Donuts store or click here for more information.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Shooting victim released from hospital, says spokesperson.
Laurel Police say they are still searching for the man responsible for shooting a clerk at an Exxon gas station last month. This week, a spokesperson for the City of Laurel confirmed that the clerk working at the gas station has been released from the hospital after being shot in the arm by a shooter. Sign up for the Laurel Patch newsletter here and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for instant news updates and community conversations. According to police, the incident happened Sept. 2 along the 7800 block Old Sandy Spring Road. A male suspect entered the store, displayed a black .25 caliber handgun, and demanded money from the clerk in the store. According to police, the clerk refused the demands and the two began fighting. The man shot…
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The following report was provided by the Laurel Police Department.
The following is a list of crimes reported from Aug. 21 through Sept. 9 in the City of Laurel. Arrests do not indicate conviction. Date For questions about this blotter, e-mail joshua.garner@patch.com.
Bob
5:56 am on Sunday, April 21, 2013
fulcrcle - You had me up until your last, really classless and actually racist remarks. You complain about discrimination and then equate any support group for Caucasians to the KKK? You claim that African Americans are the only ones who are "guilty until proven innocent"? Did you follow the recent incidents in Boston where many, including an NPR commentator, immediately blamed the Conservatives … more ›