As law enforcement agencies nationwide continue to adapt to modern policing needs, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with St. Mary’s County Government, has introduced Citizen Connect, an interactive public safety portal designed to enhance transparency and accessibility to crime data.
The launch of Citizen Connect follows the county’s transition to Tyler Technologies, a new records management and computer-aided dispatch system implemented on August 13, 2024. This transition marked a major step in improving how law enforcement collects, manages, and shares public safety data with the community.
Citizen Connect provides residents with a map-based interface that displays incidents requiring a Sheriff’s Office response where a report was filed. The tool is accessible on both mobile devices and computers, allowing the public to view and analyze law enforcement activity in their area. Those interested in using the system can access Citizen Connect by visiting www.FirstSheriff.com and selecting the link under “Quick Links” on the homepage.
To protect privacy, the system does not display specific street addresses. Instead, incidents appear in generalized locations, ensuring that sensitive information is safeguarded. Certain types of incidents are not included to protect victims’ privacy. The platform updates every 72 hours, but incidents that occurred before August 13, 2024, are not available due to the implementation of Tyler Technologies.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to increasing transparency and fostering public engagement through technology. By providing residents with access to law enforcement activity in their community, officials aim to strengthen trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the public. The Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to explore Citizen Connect and use it as a resource to stay informed about public safety trends.
