EXECUTIVE ORDER
01.01.2205.36
(Rescinds Executive Orders 01.01.1995.03, 01.01.1995.18, 01.01.1996.05, and 01.01.1996.06)

Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention

WHEREAS, Ensuring public safety through crime control and prevention is one of the primary responsibilities of government and is one of the pillars of this Administration;

WHEREAS, Collaboration and cooperation between State agencies and between the State and local governmental agencies and local crime control and prevention programs and activities will promote improved public safety;

WHEREAS, There is a need for an office within the Executive Department to serve as the State administering agency for federal and State crime control and prevention funds;

WHEREAS, This Office should also serve to facilitate State interagency public safety and crime control and prevention strategies as well as to coordinate these strategies with those of local governments; and

WHEREAS, This Office should also be responsible for the preparation of a three-year Comprehensive State Crime Control and Prevention Plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF MARYLAND, HEREBY RESCIND EXECUTIVE ORDERS 01.01.1995.03, 01.01.1995.18, 01.01.1996.05, AND 01.01.1996.06 AND PROCLAIM THE FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE ORDER, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:

1. Establishment and Administration.


1. The Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (the Office) is hereby established as a unit within the Executive Department’s boards, commissions, and offices.


2. The Office shall be managed by an Executive Director, who shall be primarily responsible for coordinating interagency public safety and crime control and prevention activities throughout the State and will be the State’s principal coordinator with local, regional, and federal counterpart organizations.


3. The Executive Director is responsible for the daily operation and administration of the Office. The Executive Director shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.


4. The Executive Director will advise the Governor on crime control and prevention issues and shall represent the Governor on boards, commissions, and councils as directed by the Governor or as required by law.


2. Authority.


1. The Executive Director of the Office will coordinate interagency public safety and crime control and prevention efforts across State Government and coordinate with federal and local governments, private nonprofit organizations, and the public to find solutions that promote public safety and crime control and prevention.


2. The Executive Director will ensure that Maryland is a full and active partner in federal crime control and prevention grants and programs and will work to leverage federal initiatives and innovations to enhance public safety and crime control and prevention within the State and its subdivisions.


3. Staffing. The Office shall be comprised of professional staff appointed by the Governor, as provided for in the State budget.


4. D. Duties. The Office shall have the following duties:


1. Direct and coordinate interagency and intergovernmental public safety and crime control and prevention policies and programs within the State, paying special attention to key linkages between federal, State, regional, subdivision, and local activities;


2. Advise the Governor on policies, strategies, legislation, budgets, and measures to improve public safety and crime control and prevention within the State;


3. With the cooperation and collaboration of appropriate State agencies, prepare a three-year Comprehensive State Crime Control and Prevention Plan. The Plan shall be annually updated; the first plan after the signing of this Executive Order shall be submitted to the Governor by December 1, 2005;


4. Serve as designated State agency in the application for, and administration of, federal and State funds for public safety and crime control and prevention programs, including, but not limited to:


1. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program;


2. The federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002, as amended;


3. The federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), as enacted by Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994;


4. The Governor's portion of the federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1986, as amended; and


5. Such other funds as the Governor may direct;


5. For administrative purposes, serve as the agency responsible for the preparation, management, and reporting functions with respect to the State plan required under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, and assign staff to the Juvenile Grant Planning and Review Council to serve as the designated juvenile justice specialist required under federal law and regulations and to perform the required functions to ensure compliance with federal standards regarding detention of juveniles in secure detention facilities or secure correctional facilities;


6. Provide recommendations to the Governor to streamline existing committees, commissions, agencies, or departments to prevent redundancy or enhance efficiency;


7. Provide technical assistance to State agencies, local government, private nonprofit organizations, and local communities in public safety and crime control and prevention activities and programs, including encouragement of coordinated local crime control and prevention plans;


8. Coordinate the application, allocation, and use of designated federal and State funds for services to victims and witnesses of crimes and facilitate the delivery of such services; and


9. Perform such additional duties as may be directed by the Governor.


5. All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, and officers of the State, or any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate with, and provide such data and other information as may be allowed by law, to the Executive Director of the Office for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Executive Order.


6. This Executive Order shall not be construed to alter the existing authorities of any executive agency or department, except that all executive departments and agencies are directed to assist the Executive Director of the Office in carrying out the purposes of this Executive Order.


7. This Executive Order is effective upon signature and shall continue in effect until amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded by the Governor or terminated by operation of law.

GIVEN Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the State of Maryland, in the City of Annapolis, this 1st Day of August, 2005.