OCEAN CITY, Md. - Two new bills filed in the Maryland Legislature aim to give police and first responders more protection, especially during chaotic moments.
Senate Bill 99 and House Bill 286 have been cross-filed and both aim to add police and first responders to the protected groups in Maryland's hate crime law, something especially important in Ocean City where the unsanctioned H2Oi event brings chaos and violence to town year after year.
"We saw fireworks being shot off towards our officers," says OCPD Deputy Communications Manager Ashley Miller. "We had, I want to say at least one vehicle that was damaged. Windows were broken from objects being thrown at our officers."
SB 99 and HB 286 could make damaging an officer's property, like some did during H2Oi, a hate crime. "It was very clear to me that the action against them truly fit the hate crime," says Delegate Wayne Hartman. "Just for simply the badge they wear, the job they do, they were being assaulted." Hartman did a ride along with OCPD to see the violence at H2Oi first-hand. He says the penalties he saw were not enough, which is why he introduced HB 286. If police and first responders are added to the state's hate crime law, violators could face fines up to $20,000 and jail time up to 20 years, depending on how severe the crime is. 277 arrests were made over the four-day weekend H2Oi was in town in September 2020. Miller says more arrests could be made at future pop-up rallies should similar crimes occur. "Once you start introducing the hate crime, you have additional measures and requirements you have to be able to meet," Miller says. "Once the legislation goes through, we can see exactly what the requirements are." The committee hearing for HB 286 is scheduled for January 19th, 2021. SB 99's committee hearing is set for February 4th. Lawmakers in both the House and the Senate have to agree on any amendments before they can vote on the bill. If it passes, it will go to Governor Hogan's desk.
