Emergency, Dial 911

In an emergency, dial 911, the Emergency Communications Center, to request fire, rescue, emergency medical or police services. The Department of Fire and Rescue Services or Police Department will respond with the nearest available equipment and personnel.

911 Education

Call the Bureau of Communications (410-313-2300) to arrange a free, educational program for ages 5-adults on 911 and how to use it.

Transporting Emergency Patients

Depending upon the type of medical emergency, patients are transported to Shock Trauma in Baltimore, or to the closest hospital: Frederick Memorial, Greater Laurel, Howard County General or Montgomery General. Call Fire and Rescue (410-313-6020) for more information.

Fire Code

The Bureau of Life Safety enforces the fire code. Call 410-313-6040 with questions about the code or to report violations.

Fire Extinguishers

For training on how to use your fire extinguisher, call Fire and Rescue (410-313-6040).

Fire Hydrant Locations

For information about fire hydrant locations, call Utilities (410-313-4900).

Safety Education

To arrange a free educational program on fire safety and injury prevention awareness for any age group, call the Bureau of Life Safety (410-313-6040).

Smoke Detectors

For smoke detector installation, inspection and testing, call Fire and Rescue's Life Safety Bureau (410-313-6040).

Alcohol Enforcement Hotline

The Police Department provides a 24-hour alcohol hotline (410-313-4776) that you may call to anonymously leave information about an underage party involving alcohol. Members of the Alcohol Enforcement Unit check the hotline regularly.

Child Abuse

The Criminal Investigations Division (410-313-2220) of the Police Department researches incidents of alleged child abuse, both physical and sexual.

Crimes against Persons

The Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division (410-313-2220) handles missing persons cases and such crimes against persons as:

• homicide,
• rape,
• robbery and
• telephone misuse.

Crimes against Property

The Criminal Investigations Division (410-313-2220) of the Police Department looks into pawn shop transactions and crimes against property, such as:

• auto theft,
• burglary,
• check fraud,
• fraud and forgery,
• theft and
• ''white collar'' crimes.

Deputy Sheriffs

In Howard County, the Sheriff waives active law enforcement to the Department of Police. Deputy sheriffs can make arrests and issue motor vehicle citations, and assist other law enforcement agencies when needed or requested.

Drug Tip Line

To report suspicious drug activity (use, sale or distribution), call the anonymous drug tip line (410-290-3784).

Drugs and Gambling

The Vice and Narcotics (410-313-7550) unit of the Police Department investigates drug trafficking incidents, street level narcotics activities and vice and gambling complaints.

Ongoing Traffic Violations

To report ongoing traffic violations such as speeding in your nieghborhood, call the Police Department (410-313-4750) with the location and time of most frequent complaints.

Police Patrols

The Police Department's patrol division (Northern, 410-313-2208; Southern, 410-313-3710) responds to calls from the community for law enforcement and schedules police coverage of the entire county every hour, every day.

Report Traffic Violations

To report emergencies and in-progress violations, call 911. Relate specifics about the incident and identify the vehicle. In non-emergency situations, call the Police Department (410-313-4750).

S.M.A.R.T. Program

With a Speed Monitoring and Awareness Radar Team, individuals and community groups can take an active role in reducing speed in their neighborhoods. After training, participants use radar equipment to record the number of cars and their speeds. Citizens take no enforcement action. The program allows the Police Department to determine which streets need enforcement or additional educational or engineering efforts. For details, call 410-313-4750.

T.A.G.S.

The Traffic Action Group for Safety includes community and government agencies. Through grant funds, the Special Operations Bureau (410-313-3750) supports programs to reduce impaired driving, speeding and inattentive driving, to increase sealt belt use and to ensure correct use of child safety seats. Other programs include educational materials for pedestrians, bicyclists and younger or older drivers.

Traffic Safety

The Police Department (410-313-4750) enforces motor vehicle laws. Officers administer radar, vascar and laser enforcement programs, implement DWI checkpoints, investigate fatal collisions, and work with Engineering, Highways, the State Highway Administration and other agencies to keep traffic moving safely and smoothly.

Advice for Crime Victims