Montgomery County police officers are now required to intervene when they witness excessive force being used by other officers under a new policy announced yesterday. In addition, the County Council introduced a bill that would codify additional curbs on police use of excessive force.
Montgomery County will move to Phase 2 of its planned reopening at 5 p.m. Friday, June 19, County Executive Marc Elrich announced. “Phase 2 allows additional businesses and activities to start and/or increase modified operations under specified guidelines.”
The county will ease the COVID-19 emergency restrictions imposed earlier this year beginning on Monday, June 1, County Executive Marc Elrich announced. In a press conference marred by boos, insults and profanities from the audience, Elrich said the gradual Phase 1 reopening of businesses and activities, under specific guidelines, would be in effect as of 6 a.m. Monday.
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot has lent his support to a County Council request that the state extend the alcohol delivery and carryout provisions allowed during the COVID-19 emergency. The council made the request, which was signed by all nine councilmembers, in a May 22 letter to Franchot (D) and Gov. Larry Hogan (R).
The County Council looking for applicants to fill its positions on the Policing Advisory Commission created late last year. The commission’s 13 members would be charged with improving council oversight of the county’s police department. In addition, it’s intended to increase the community’s trust in police.
Editor’s note: This guest post and photo is from Jonna Huseman, who began the Voices project to document the lives of friends and neighbors in Silver Spring and Takoma Park and how they may have changed since the shelter in place order. It originally appeared on her blog, The Sligo Creek Photographer.
The County Council continues to propose and appropriate funding to provide various forms of assistance to county residents during the COVID-19 emergency. The council yesterday unanimously approved a special appropriation of $2 million to be used for emergency eviction prevention and housing stabilization programs via a short-term rental subsidy program to low- and moderate-income households.
The County Council voted to limit residential rent increases during the COVID-19 health emergency and for 180 days after the emergency’s expiration. Expedited Bill 18-20, the COVID-19 Renter Relief Act, prohibits landlords from increasing rents on lease renewals more than the county’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ rent guidelines of 2.6 percent.
The county will stop accepting applications to a program created to provide funding assistance to business during the COVID-19 emergency. Applications to the Public Health Emergency Grant program will no longer be taken after 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25.