From Maryland State Police:
Troopers in Harford County are posting the results of their enforcement efforts in support of the “National Drunk and Drugged Driving” initiative conducted between Monday, December 12 and Monday, December 26. During the initiative troopers targeted impaired drivers in support of Maryland’s highway safety goals.
During the initiative, Bel Air Barrack troopers issued more than 1,000 citations and warnings and conducted more than 700 traffic stops. There were no fatal traffic crashes investigated by Harford County troopers during this time frame. During this initiative the following drivers were arrested:
DUI ARRESTS:
Craig Poorbaugh Jr: Age: 21, of Bel Air, MD
Ronald Ziegler Jr: Age: 23, of Fallston, MD
Sarah Meehan: Age 25, of Baltimore, MD
Emily Hess: Age 20, of Phoenix, MD
Alexandria Smith: Age 23, of Joppa, MD
Kristin Testerman: Age 39, of Bel Air, MD
Edward Andrews: Age 24, of Bel Air, MD
Marlene Wood: Age 42, of Parkville, MD
Conor Cox: Age 24, of Forest Hill, MD
Velvet McCoy: Age 47, of Edgewood, MD
Jose Contreras: Age 29, of Nottingham, MD
Stephanie Holstein: Age 27, of Abingdon, MD
Keith Sigafoose: Age 52, of Aberdeen, MD
August Stanley Jr: Age 19, of Churchville, MD
Brett Shumaker: Age 30, of Harwood, MD
NARCOTICS ARRESTS:
August Stanley Jr: Age 19, of Churchville, MD
Conor Cox: Age 24, of Forest Hill, MD
Robert Presberry Jr: Age 23, of Belcamp, MD
Sara Bauland: Age 19, of Bel Air, MD
We are reminding citizens that Harford County law enforcement continues to aggressively search for impaired operators throughout the remainder of the holiday season. Please, don’t drive while impaired!
That’s what I call good work !!! Troopers keep it up !!!
I agree that the troopers are doing their job and arresting people. But wouldn’t it be great to have Gahler as Sheriff and the president of the HCEA as budget director for funds. That would be an awesome pair. I would support that move and then I would hire all of the deputies, who left, to be my command staff. Then people could really have something to write about in Hazzard County! BUT I do support police because they are the front lines and can be murdered for doing their job. Please remember the ATF Agent and Park Ranger for giving the ulitimate sacrafice.
@FriendofCop,
Your entire post make absolutely no sense. I assume there is a bit of sarcasm in there (I think), but it is poorly executed. What is it you are trying to convey?
The first part was sarcastic. the last half was true…..It’s dangerous being a cop and two heros made the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives protecting the rest of us.
I agree being a cop is dangerous, and often times unappreciated. Your sarcasm missed its mark.
It hit its mark!
@FriendofCops,
Oh, I see. I stand confused….now that is sarcasm.
Knocks the Wind out of some sail’s that Abingdon and Edgewood are the crime hubs. 2 out of 19 there from her, There were 8 from Bel air, Fallston and Churchville.
While most of the targeted areas were “Bel Air” Just because a person resides in Bel Air does not mean that the arrest took place there. Same as just because a person is from Abingdon does not mean that they got arrested in Abingdon. I am in no way defending any person or specific area, just saying that you didn’t base your comments on the correct facts.
A little better than 1 arrest per day. Does anyone think that there is no more than 1 impaired driver on the road at a time? And, 700 traffic stops done by 3 shifts for these 14 days. If there are 10 troopers on a shift, that is less than 2 stops per person per day. I wonder what they did with the other 7 hours of the day?
10 Troopers a shift…LOL. They have like 3 or 4. With that few Troopers and all the calls they have to handle it’s amazing they make any traffic stops.
Really – I called a friend of mine about this and it looks like you are right about the number on a shift, but she said there was probably alot of special overtime that counted to. So maybe its 4 traffic stops for each person. Still not impressed for a bunch of ticket writers.
“REALCOP” So how many times did you apply to MSP and get rejected? Sounds like sour grapes to me. And does your friend (Who I assume works for MSP) know how you feel about troopers?
Hmmm “Realcop”…I assume by your screen name that you are insinuating that troopers are not realcops. Sounds like jealousy to me. Like “Really..” said, MSP has to do more with a lot less, manpower wise. And yet they do one heck of a job. So cut them some slack.
It is my understanding that drugs are being sold at 3202 Melde ct. in Jarrettsville and has been reported many times. wondering if the police are being paid off or if I missed something and drugs are legal now here………..nothing has been done for years! Ha, they say the Fallston school system is full of drugs…………wonder where they are getting them? Glad I live Abingdon.
Zachary, you live in Abingdon so how do you know what is going on in Jarrettsville? If you have information then go to the Police give your name and when the make an arrest go to court and testify in the case for them. Do your part. And before anyone judges the State Police or other agencies go to the academy and do the job for a while. Then you can complain, until then you do not have the right to do so.
You do not believe that the very people who the police have taken an oath to protect and serve have any right to complain? Interesting!
WOw im not even allowed to complain thats pretty crazy. Like others have said im glad your retarded, oops I mean retired.
If the cops find drugs and make an arrest, why would he have to testify?
Why did you ask a question like this? A defendant in any trial is entitled to know who his accuser or witness is and for the accuser or witness to testify and be cross examined by the defense. Just because they are police and law enforcement does not mean they are sacrosanct and possess a license to do what they wish. They have to be accountable to the law just as you or I do. That’s the ideal anyway.
The “he” Phil Dirt is referring to is Zachary, not the police who found drugs and made an arrest. Zachary, as in tipster, complainant, etc.
Thank you for clarifying that. If I was in a position to help remove an individual that was trafficking off the street I would gladly support the effort with my information and testimony.
As would I, if it were necessary and relevant to the case.
This goes to show how ignorant Harford residents are! If this was filled with names from low income areas, people would fill these comment boxes with bashing insults to that area! But now when its hitting home to the out of control men and women of your area you look the other way and bash the police?! Smh BelAir, Fallston, and so on are so filled with pill popping alcoholics its sad! Kudos to the police for doing their job! We need more of you out here! Troopers and Aberdeen Cops that is, not the lazy sheriffs! And to the man with the problem in jarretsville smh. I hope you get a chance help put them out of business! Keep fighting to keep harford clean! We need more people like you!
Glad to see these Drunk Drivers didn’t wind up taking the life of a innocent loved one or friend. Sad to say that every year State Troopers and Local Police let the public know they will be out, along with commercials. But still there are some who will irresponsibly get behind the wheel. There are free services and ride-home programs, no excuse for this. Not to mention it never hurts to be a DD (Free coke or sprite).
Who cares where they came from, they could have killed someone on any public road going north, south, east or west. Thanks to MD State Police and HCSO.
Now what the cops, especially the MSP, need to do is start obeying the traffic laws that they are sworm to uphold, and the public will start to give them more respect. Take a drive down I-95 and you can see how the divide between Them and Us is widening, and the sense that they are above certain laws only adds to the lack of faith that many citizens have in the concept that all are treated equally in the eyes of the law.
which laws are they violating? They are allowed to speed for work purposes. I also here people complain of Police Officers on their cell phones, The law exempts officers from the wireless device ban. So which laws are they breaking?
Actually, police officers are NOT allowed to break speed limit laws unless they have their sirens on. Otherwise they are legally to be treated as any other driver, whether on duty or not. That’s why they get the sirens and regular citizens do not.
Also, please direct me to a link, any link please, that will show that police officers are exempt from the new Maryland cell phone law. If you mean to say that officers are allowed to use their police radio while driving, that’s one thing. However, I do not believe they are allowed (or entitled) to use their personal cell phones while driving, whether on duty or not.
§21–1124.2 of the Maryland Transportation Article expressly permits use of cell phones by “i) Law enforcement personnel; and
(ii) Emergency personnel;” when “acting within the scope of official duty:”
Glad I could be of some assistance.
Sorry but you ARE wrong! Please enlighten us as to where you received your information from? Also please contact the Police with your address so if anyone ever breaks into your house or is in the act of committing a crime they can use their siren so the criminal hears them coming from a mile away. Different calls determine whether the police use their lights and siren when responding to a call. And YES police are exempt from certain traffic laws in performance of their duty just in case you were wondering including exceeding the speed limit, disobeying traffic devices, wearing their seat belt and using cellphones.
Let’s see… where should I start? Speeding, illegal lane changing, right turn on red without coming to a complete stop, proceeding through stop sign without coming to complete stop, passing on shoulder of road, and, less often, several others. I could safely say that I see at least three of these violations by MSP officers almost every day during my commute.
Phil I have a few questions for you…
Question #1 What exactly is considered an unsafe lane change under Maryland law?
Question #2 How often is the speed measuring device inside your vehicle calibrated? How about your speedometer? And where did you receive your specialized training? (Visual speed estimations are not upheld in MD courts in case you were unaware).
Question #3 Please tell me where these red lights and stop signs are located on I95? Looking forward to your reply.. :/
Here you go:
Q #1 – If I am not mistaken, it is unsafe to pass in the shoulder when traffic is moving below the posted speed due to congestion and simply merge back in several car leghts ahead, move across two lanes of traffic right into an off-ramp without signaling, or to proceed past the marked lane for an off-ramp and not enter the ramp until the last possible moment (i.e., when the exit sign is rapidly approaching). Please tell me what the law defines as unsafe.
Q #2 – You are, of course, being a silly ass but I will answer anyway. When the entire pack of traffic is proceeding at approximately the same speed, which happens to be the posted speed limit plus or minus 5 mph, and a certain car streaks by at a speed that greatly exceeds the pack, either weaving from lane to lane to avoid other cars or pulling up to a car’s bumper until it moves over, a reasonable person can determine when that car is moving at least 10 to 15 mph faster than the rest of the traffic. I meant “speeding” as a civilian would define it, not as pertains to evidence in court which seems to be your first instinct.
Q #3 – This may really have been hard for you to figure out, but I actually don’t live on I-95, and my place of employment isn’t right on I-95. There are several roads that I take on each end of the Interstate segment of my commute, and that would be where these violations regularly take place.
So, to which barracks are you assigned or are you just naturally defensive and combative?
Phil Dirt,
In answer to your question..
This is Marylands definition of unsafe lane change under vehicle law 21-309(b) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and may not be moved from that lane or moved from a shoulder or bikeway into a lane until the driver has determined it safe to do so.
I’m glad to see the police, regardless of which department, out there getting drunks off of the road. If the boneheads are going to drive drunk then the boneheads need to be arrested and with stiffer penalties. If you have ever known someone killed or badly hurt because of a drunk driver, you know what I mean.
Wow you are all jacka$$e$!!!!!! who cares who got the drunks off the road that night. Who knows how many lives they could have saved. And in regards to the numbers, MSP has about 3-4 officers in harford cty, aberdeen, havre ge grace and bel air patrol a postage stamp and the sheriff’s office patrols throughout. I wouldnt be complaining aboutt he crime in harford cty considering its one of the safest counties in MD. People always gotta b!tch about something.
What concerns me is how many of those arrested are in their teens and twenties. Sadly, the message about drinking and driving is not getting through to them.