City Beat

A roundup of local news, events, and announcements

Convicted arsonist David Crawford during his time as Laurel Police Chief (File Photo)

Former Police Chief Crawford Sentenced in Montgomery County

A Montgomery County judge sentenced former Laurel Police Chief David Crawford to 55 years in prison in mid-February 2026. Crawford pled guilty to two counts of first-degree arson and one count of second-degree arson for fires he started at the home of his stepson in 2016, 2017, and 2020.

Crawford, 74, of Ellicott City, was already serving a prison sentence for crimes committed in Howard County, for which he was sentenced to eight life terms and 75 additional years.

In 2021, Crawford was arrested and charged with setting 13 fires in houses, cars, and garages in Prince George’s, Montgomery, Howard, Frederick, and Charles counties. His arsonist activities covered more than a decade; in addition to targeting family members, he also set fires at the homes of people he felt had wronged him in some way.

Crawford was Laurel’s police chief from 2006 until 2010. He had previously served as police chief for District Heights and as a major in the Prince George’s County Police Department.

For the full story of Crawford’s crimes, see the Summer and Fall 2024 issues of Voices of Laurel. [voicesoflaurel.com/print-editions]

Laurel Cats, City Officials Partner with H.E.A.R.T. to Offer Mobile Veterinary Clinic

Laurel-area pet owners have a new resource for affordable veterinary care, thanks to the efforts of Laurel Cats, the City of Laurel, and H.E.A.R.T. (Helping Every Animal Receive Treatment, Inc.), an Annapolis-based organization whose goal is to reduce shelter intake and euthanasia by increasing community access to veterinary care.

On March 4, a grand opening was held for a mobile veterinary clinic that will provide low-cost spay and neuter services for both cats and dogs. The clinic will also offer other animal-health services, with a view toward reducing the overpopulation of pets in the Laurel area. The mobile clinic is housed in a vehicle parked at the Laurel Parks and Recreation maintenance facility located at 7705 Old Sandy Spring Road.

H.E.A.R.T. founder Robin Catlett noted that the Laurel-based unit is the first recurring clinic location for the new organization, and “exactly the kind of collaboration that strengthens our mission.” Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor lauded the project as “a powerful example of what can happen when compassion and collaboration come together.” Also on hand at the opening ceremony was Laurel City Councilmember Jame Kole, who said, “I love animals, and I’ve seen firsthand how hard it can be for families to afford basic veterinary care. Helping connect Laurel Cats and H.E.A.R.T., Inc. with the City of Laurel was important to me because it gives pet owners a real, affordable option to care for their cats and dogs right here in our community.”

Laurel Cats President Helen Woods stressed the need for the clinic: “For almost a year now, we have not had any low-cost veterinary options in Laurel available to pet owners. This has forced many working families to either ask Laurel Cats for help or go without care for their furry family members. This new clinic will restore affordable veterinary access to pet owners in and around Laurel.” [Source: Press release from Laurel Cats]

City to Review Voting Wards for Potential Redistricting

The Laurel City Council voted at its March 23 meeting to form an advisory committee to consider the redistricting of voting wards. Generally, ward boundaries are reconsidered every 10 years, after the U.S. Census publishes its demographic findings. However, the robust development on Laurel’s west side, by the I-95 interchange off Van Dusen Road, has added 500 residences to Ward 2, with more to be added prior to the next U.S. Census in 2030. The City Council felt that an off-cycle review is needed to ensure fairness and balance in Laurel’s voting wards. The committee will consist of five people, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. The committee will study the demographic data, draw up a recommended redistricting map, and present its findings to the council within six months of appointment. Any approved ward boundary changes would take effect prior to the November 2027 general election.

Laurel High Students Protest ICE Presence

Laurel High School Students joined thousands across the country in protesting the methods being used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. LHS students walked out of the school over their lunchtime on February 9, carrying signs and walking down Cherry Lane to the Laurel Towne Center. The event occurred with the approval of school administrators and in coordination with Laurel Police, who blocked traffic to ensure a safe event.

Mills’s Case Against Fellow Councilmember Dismissed in Court

In our Fall 2025 issue, we reported that City Councilman Jeffrey Mills had filed a criminal complaint against Councilman James Kole and his husband, Joshua, over an October incident in which one of Mills’s campaign signs was removed. Although the sign was undamaged and put back into place, Mills continued with his case. In late February, however, the case was declared nolle prosequi in a Prince George’s County court when the prosecuting office declined to prosecute. While not the same thing as an acquittal or a dropped case, a nolle prosequi action results in a dismissal of charges and an expungement of any arrests records. No arrests were made in connection with this case.

Laurel Woman Caught in Nightmare Scenario Over Citizenship Status

The case of a Laurel woman made national headlines over the winter after she was detained by ICE over what her lawyers called an administrative error. Dulce Consuelo Diaz Morales, 22, (at left, with her son) was driving in Baltimore with her younger sister on December 14, 2025, when she was stopped by ICE and taken into custody, despite her and her sister’s insistence that they are U.S. citizens. Diaz Morales was detained for 25 days, during which she was transferred five times to ICE holding facilities in Louisiana, Texas, and New Jersey, sometimes sleeping on the floor. Meanwhile, her family and lawyers repeatedly provided the federal government with proof of her citizenship, including her Maryland birth certificate—she was born at Laurel Hospital—along with immunization records, school records, and sworn affidavits attesting to U.S. citizenship, all of which were verified by experts at Johns Hopkins University. However, federal authorities continued to claim that she is a Mexican citizen who entered the U.S. illegally in 2023.

Dulce Consuelo Diaz Morales with her son. (Press release photo)

Diaz Morales’s lawyers maintain that she had been out of the country in 2023 and re-entered the U.S. during an emergency, without access to proper documentation—leading her to be erroneously labeled as an illegal immigrant and flagged for removal. Federal authorities disputed this claim, but did release Diaz Morales from ICE custody on January 7 on the condition that she wear an ankle monitor and remain under supervision, with regular check-ins at the Baltimore ICE office. Her next immigration hearing is scheduled for July, and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s office is working to obtain a passport for her.

Apply for Renters Tax Credit 2026

The State of Maryland is offering a plan for some renters to receive a tax credit for 2026. If you missed the October 1, 2025, deadline for last year, consider applying this year. Eligibility to receive the credit is defined at the link below; however, the plan is based on “the relationship between rent and income.” If you meet the qualifications, you may receive a credit of as much as $1,000 paid directly by check from the state. For more information go to https://dat.maryland.gov/realproperty/Pages/Renters%27-Tax-Credits.aspx.