Recently, Connor Romblad offered a make-shift analysis on the state of crime in Salisbury. Certainly, a noble and useful cause if well-intended and well-informed. Unfortunately, even applying the most empathetic review, this effort accomplished neither the goal of good intentions or good information.
One thing I have become aware of since taking over as Mayor of Salisbury is the consistent challenge to find and report quality information. Fictional reporting also known as “spin” from the mayor’s office will never be my interest. Fortunately – reporting the current crime statistics is an instance that I can report both good and reliable news.
First, let me be clear -supporting law enforcement and fighting crime is a very high priority of my administration. While I may have a host of much more glamorous goals – requiring ribbon cutting – please take comfort that meaningful increases in resources are being invested in law enforcement as our officers do their job every day. Second, the Salisbury Chief of Police, Dave Meienshein is a man of the utmost integrity committed to his role. Chief Meienshein accepted his post in September 2023 as a 36-year veteran of the force, including 12 years as Assistant Chief of Police. He commands the respect of his officers and has worked tirelessly to fully staff his force for the first time in almost 15+ years—a mission I have fully supported. His seasoned leadership team and the officers that serve are doing the hard work every day to keep the city safe while creating a climate of comraderie despite challenging hours and the demand of the work.
That said, let’s get to the facts. Despite the negative report offered by Mr. Romblad– it appears his fact jar may have had a hole at the bottom. The fact is -crime in Salisbury is down. To add emphasis, crime is substantially down in major categories despite increasing pressures from all sides including the opioid crisis.
To quote a few statistics for 2024 vs. 2023.
To be sure, this is not an attempt to take a shot at the author but simply keeping the truth and the facts at the forefront of conversation. It is to offer a backdrop of reliable data and support the hard work that is being done by the SPD. Simply said, the SPD is not “overstretched and under resourced” -it is fully funded and fully staffed. SPD has taken 100 weapons off the street in 2024, solved a good percentage of the crimes noted above despite a lack of support from the MD State legislature regarding juvenile crime laws. That said, crime is not up but rather down locally in Salisbury but also relative to national data year over year as well.
Mr. Romblad did make one good point. The prevention of crime and related issues are not just the responsibility of law enforcement. Rather, a multi-prong approach is required to include not only the police department but all of the agencies and programs (adult and juvenile) that support the citizens of Salisbury. The meaningful fabric of our community is woven together by the organizations and agencies that support law enforcement as a community. This would include addiction, homelessness, poverty --from which crime can grow but can be prevented at its origins. Each year, Salisbury Police Department officers log hundreds of hours in organizations like Under Armour Flag football, Salvation Army, Coffee with a Cop, Trunk and Treat, National Night Out, and the list goes on. That also holds true for our Salisbury Fire Department and general government--a fact I report with pride.
As Mayor--can I take some credit? Some “politicians” might, however, I am not one of those and I will not. I will simply say I am merely a well-intentioned, common sense leader that along with the management team of Salisbury is committed to supporting the work to keep people safe and protect the community in which we live.
I hope that this information made you feel a bit better and a bit safer about your community.
While Salisbury is not perfect, it is a great place to live, and as Mayor, I will do my part to keep it that way. We have a lot of work to do. Work that I am certainly not afraid to do and as Mayor will continue to do so to serve our City well.
Randy Taylor, MayorCity of Salisbury
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
