"I will increase citizen oversight of the police, increase our access to health care, improve our emergency services, and improve our public infrastructure."
- Sam Newhouse
Specific Proposals for a Safer Frederick County
Public safety is not just about policing. It is about building a community where people are healthy, infrastructure is maintained, and every resident feels secure in their daily life. Here is what I will fight for on the County Council:
Open Communication with Police
Establish open, regular communication channels between elected officials and law enforcement to ensure accountability and shared priorities.
Civilian Oversight
Create meaningful civilian oversight of law enforcement so that the people of Frederick County have a real voice in how they are policed.
Health-Based Responses
Develop health-based response alternatives to police intervention for mental health crises, substance use situations, and other cases better served by trained professionals.
Safe Biking and Pedestrian Infrastructure
Build safe biking and pedestrian infrastructure countywide so that residents can move through their communities without risking their lives.
Public Transit Expansion
Expand public transit to reduce vehicle-related injuries and deaths, connect underserved communities, and provide safe transportation alternatives.
School Facility Safety
Retrofit school facilities for student safety, ensuring that every child in Frederick County learns in an environment that is secure and well-maintained.
Affordability Is a Safety Issue
Poverty increases crime. This is not a theory -- it is a fact supported by decades of research and the lived experience of communities across this country. Making our county more affordable will make our county safer.
When people can afford stable housing, reliable transportation, and access to healthcare, the conditions that drive crime diminish. Public safety policy that ignores affordability is incomplete.
Healthcare Access Is Public Safety
Access to healthcare should not depend on your income, your location, or the time of day. I will advocate for:
- 24/7 urgent care access throughout Frederick County so that residents are not forced to rely on emergency rooms for basic medical needs
- Medical transportation services that connect residents -- especially seniors and disabled individuals -- to the care they need
- Affordable housing located near healthcare facilities so that our most vulnerable residents are not isolated from essential services
A healthy community is a safe community. When people can see a doctor, access mental health support, and get emergency care without financial ruin, the entire county benefits.
A Holistic Approach to Safety
Public safety is not one policy. It is the sum of how we treat each other, how we invest in our infrastructure, and how we respond to the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. I will bring a holistic approach to the County Council -- one that treats policing, healthcare, transit, infrastructure, and affordability as interconnected pieces of the same puzzle.