Crime Victims

Now in its 23rd year, Maryland's annual statewide memorial service for crime victims and their families, an official day of remembrance organized by prosecutors and the state Board of Victims Services, comes with a long roll call of the murdered or missing. The names now cover fully 28 pages in the program organizers hand out at the door to each of four services held across the state, and the music video that lists each name runs for most of an hour. Sunday, in Hagerstown in western Maryland, in Denton on the Eastern Shore, in Waldorf in southern Maryland and in the auditorium of Long Reach High School in Howard County, the families of victims gathered to remember their dead and to be among others who share the pain of losing a loved one to violent crime.

A group of victim advocates are holding a "tweetchat" to draw attention to what they said was a broken promise from Gov. Martin O'Malley to give money to families of homicide victims. The chat can be followed on Twitter using the hash tag #victimsmatter In the bill that would repeal Maryland's death penalty, O'Malley included $500,000 for next year's budget to help families of murder victims and other violent crimes. O'Malley pressed repeal on the grounds it was expense and ineffective, arguing taxpayer dollars should be better spent.

This is National Crime Victims' Rights Week -- a time for the nation and our state to ask about the meaning of justice, both present and future, for those harmed by crime. Our theme this year, "Reshaping the Future, Honoring the Past," calls on us to not only reflect, but also to act. Our first duty is to never forget the impact of crime. I am a crime victim. My husband, Michael, was murdered in a convenience store robbery in 1994. I was left to raise our four boys on my own. I'm happy to report that they have all become wonderful, productive adult men despite what they lost that day. But, even now, the anniversary of that day can bring us to our knees.

A stretch of Route 4, including the section that passes through southern Anne Arundel County, was renamed last week for Stephanie Roper, whose 1982 murder led her parents to crusade for rights of crime victims and their survivors. The approximately five miles that Maryland officials named Stephanie Roper Highway extend from Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County to Bristol in Anne Arundel, according to the Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center. A gubernatorial proclamation was issued last week.

Dan Rodricks ' commentary on the towing industry highlights an obvious problem that allows towing companies to make a lot of money at the expense of vehicle owners ("Towing the line on property rights," Dec. 18). But the problem is even larger than Mr. Rodricks suggests. Victims of auto theft or crimes that result in the towing of their vehicle must pay all the associated fees required to retrieve their car after it is recovered by police. As Mr. Rodricks explained, this amount can quickly add up. This is an excellent example of secondary victimization that occurs when crime victims receive unfair and insensitive treatment in the aftermath of a crime.

The criminal defense lawyers make the fair and typical plea for the "right to privacy" on behalf of the violent suspects they represent, but they ignore that the victim of a crime, be it an individual, a store or whatever, has not only lost their privacy but considerably more in the process ("Maryland police continue to collect DNA samples," April 26). There are consequences to bad behavior and if giving up your DNA is one of them, so be it. Peter Bell, Monkton

A group of victim advocates are holding a "tweetchat" to draw attention to what they said was a broken promise from Gov. Martin O'Malley to give money to families of homicide victims. The chat can be followed on Twitter using the hash tag #victimsmatter In the bill that would repeal Maryland's death penalty, O'Malley included $500,000 for next year's budget to help families of murder victims and other violent crimes. O'Malley pressed repeal on the grounds it was expense and ineffective, arguing taxpayer dollars should be better spent.

Michael Rindos was driving along Bay Dale Drive in Annapolis last summer when he saw a shocking scene: A nearly naked young woman driving behind him was being struck by a man in the car, and she was screaming for help. Rindos, now 19 and a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park, said he didn't think about the potential dangers that June afternoon. He just sprang into action. "He probably didn't think he was going to be a hero," said Anne Arundel County Assistant State's Attorney Anastasia Prigge.

Advocates for crime victims and those who provide services for them, including police, huddled Monday in Annapolis as they worked with state officials on ways to better help the thousands of people harmed by crime in Maryland each year. The sessions were the latest step toward the Governor's Office of Crime Control & Prevention's plan to issue a report and recommendations this fall for improving assistance to crime victims. "This is the first-ever blueprint from victims," said Kristen Mahoney, executive director of the office that funnels federal and state grant money to law enforcement, nonprofit agencies and others.

The Howard County Police Department will no longer charge crime victims for police reports, and it has reduced the fee it charges lawyers and insurance companies for the documents. Effective immediately, the department has eliminated the $7.50 fee for people classified on incident reports as victims or owners of property that has been stolen or damaged. Insurance companies and lawyers will be charged $2.50 for the reports.

The criminal defense lawyers make the fair and typical plea for the "right to privacy" on behalf of the violent suspects they represent, but they ignore that the victim of a crime, be it an individual, a store or whatever, has not only lost their privacy but considerably more in the process ("Maryland police continue to collect DNA samples," April 26). There are consequences to bad behavior and if giving up your DNA is one of them, so be it. Peter Bell, Monkton

WEATHER Today's forecast calls for highs in the upper 40s and cold, windy and wet conditions. Tonight, winds are expected to remain up to 20 miles per hour and there is a 50 percent chance of rain or snow showers. TRAFFIC Check our traffic map for this morning's issues as you plan your commute. FROM THE WEEKEND... Residents evacuated after 3-alarm fire ignites Canton warehouse : The Baltimore City Fire Department battled a three-alarm fire at a warehouse at 1200 Baylis St. in the Canton area late into the night Sunday, bringing it under control around midnight.

Now in its 23rd year, Maryland's annual statewide memorial service for crime victims and their families, an official day of remembrance organized by prosecutors and the state Board of Victims Services, comes with a long roll call of the murdered or missing. The names now cover fully 28 pages in the program organizers hand out at the door to each of four services held across the state, and the music video that lists each name runs for most of an hour. Sunday, in Hagerstown in western Maryland, in Denton on the Eastern Shore, in Waldorf in southern Maryland and in the auditorium of Long Reach High School in Howard County, the families of victims gathered to remember their dead and to be among others who share the pain of losing a loved one to violent crime.

The Harford County State's Attorney's office is participating in National Crime Victims' Rights Week April 22-28 and will feature a program about presenting crime this Monday. This annual observance seeks to increase public awareness and knowledge among crime victims and survivors about the wide range of rights and services available to people who have been victimized by crime, according to State's Attorney Joseph Cassilly. The theme for the 2012 National Crime Victims' Rights Week is "Extending the Vision, Reaching Every Victim.

Dan Rodricks ' commentary on the towing industry highlights an obvious problem that allows towing companies to make a lot of money at the expense of vehicle owners ("Towing the line on property rights," Dec. 18). But the problem is even larger than Mr. Rodricks suggests. Victims of auto theft or crimes that result in the towing of their vehicle must pay all the associated fees required to retrieve their car after it is recovered by police. As Mr. Rodricks explained, this amount can quickly add up. This is an excellent example of secondary victimization that occurs when crime victims receive unfair and insensitive treatment in the aftermath of a crime.

I do not know Vivian Penda but I was touched and moved by her op-ed in which she shared her struggle following the murder of her son. In her powerful guest opinion she urged, "For the sake of victims' families, repeal the death penalty. " (Nov. 17.) It breaks my heart that she did not receive more support from our public agencies following her profound and tragic loss. Her words make it clearer than ever for me that it is time to re-focus our state's resources on approaches that reduce violence and provide much-needed support to crime victims.

To commemorate National Victims' Rights Week (April 13-19), a public memorial ceremony in remembrance of Howard County crime victims will be held at 7 p.m. on April 16 at the county government's office complex in Ellicott City. The ceremony will be held in the Banneker Room at the George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Drive, followed by a candlelight vigil at the Omar J. Jones, Jr. Plaza adjoining the Carroll Building and the George Howard buildings. Light refreshments will be served.

A part-time victim assistance expert has begun working with the Howard County Police Department. Creation of the 10-hour-a-week position is the department's first effort to devote resources specifically to victim services.Cassie Puls, who has 10 years of experience working with crime victims, initially will focus on elderly crime victims and robbery victims. The job, which she began last week, is funded bya $9,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.Before coming to Howard County, Puls was the statewide coordinator for victim services.

Laurel police report felonies, arrests and property crimes. Prince George's County police report violent crimes and property crimes. Howard County police report major crimes, break-ins and car thefts. Anne Arundel County police report major crimes. Laurel City Baltimore Avenue , 14100 block, June 27. Money stolen from victim after he met man who said he could get him discount on two electronic items at store. Victim gave man $4,000 for items but man fled through rear door of business.

Advocates for crime victims and those who provide services for them, including police, huddled Monday in Annapolis as they worked with state officials on ways to better help the thousands of people harmed by crime in Maryland each year. The sessions were the latest step toward the Governor's Office of Crime Control & Prevention's plan to issue a report and recommendations this fall for improving assistance to crime victims. "This is the first-ever blueprint from victims," said Kristen Mahoney, executive director of the office that funnels federal and state grant money to law enforcement, nonprofit agencies and others.