Public safety reporter, Capital Gazette/Anne Arundel County

Luke Parker

Luke Parker covers public safety in Anne Arundel County for The Capital. After graduating from Towson University in 2021, he covered several community and political beats for The Record Observer and Star Democrat newspapers on Maryland's Eastern Shore. He joined Baltimore Sun Media in 2022.

Though Maryland’s prison system has worked to reinforce its facilities over the past two years, staffing shortages throughout the state are endangering inmates and employees, according to the correctional officers’ union.

Crime and Public Safety |
Prison violence, staff vacancies continue despite new hires, officers’ union says

August 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

Though Maryland’s prison system has worked to reinforce its facilities over the past two years, staffing shortages throughout the state are endangering inmates and employees, according to the correctional officers’...

Attorney and former Anne Arundel councilman Daryl Jones said the Democrats are propelled with a "whole different level of excitement."

Politics |
How a former Anne Arundel council member saw the Democratic National Convention

August 23, 2024 at 6:22 p.m.

Attorney and former Anne Arundel councilman Daryl Jones said the Democrats are propelled with a "whole different level of excitement."

Prosecutors will no longer pursue the theft case against an Annapolis woman who spent the night in City Hall and ate Hot Pockets from an employee fridge, so long as she continues receiving mental health treatment.

Crime and Public Safety |
State shelves case against woman who slept at Annapolis City Hall, ate Hot Pockets

August 13, 2024 at 6:05 p.m.

Prosecutors will no longer pursue the theft case against an Annapolis woman who spent the night in City Hall and ate Hot Pockets from an employee fridge, so long as she...

Police said they were alerted to Kenneth Schneider, of Chestnut Hill Cove, after a teenager he's accused of exploiting attempted suicide.

Crime and Public Safety |
Chestnut Hill Cove man arrested on child pornography charges after online interactions with teenagers, Maryland State Police say

August 13, 2024 at 3:56 p.m.

Police said they were alerted to Kenneth Schneider, of Chestnut Hill Cove, after a teenager he's accused of exploiting attempted suicide.

Jacob Joseph Muir posed as a teenager on Instagram to coerce young girls between the ages of 8 and 13 to send him nude photographs.

Crime and Public Safety |
Pasadena man who acted as teenager online to get nude photographs sentenced to seven years in federal prison

August 11, 2024 at 12:25 p.m.

Jacob Joseph Muir posed as a teenager on Instagram to coerce young girls between the ages of 8 and 13 to send him nude photographs.

The vote, which carries no legal bearing, represents the ongoing disagreements between leaders of the agency and its officers’ union.

News |
Annapolis Police union issues no-confidence vote against chief

August 9, 2024 at 1:49 p.m.

The vote, which carries no legal bearing, represents the ongoing disagreements between leaders of the agency and its officers’ union.

Garrett Lee Holsen, who's faced accusations of rape and assault since 2021, will no longer be prosecuted for an off-campus sexual encounter.

Crime and Public Safety |
'Emotional trauma has been incalculable': Prosecutors drop assault case against Naval Academy midshipman, ending nearly-three year saga

August 8, 2024 at 2:55 a.m.

Garrett Lee Holsen, who's faced accusations of rape and assault since 2021, will no longer be prosecuted for an off-campus sexual encounter.

Anne Arundel Orphans’ Court Judge Marc Knapp still faces a criminal prosecution in September, but three court actions against him have been dismissed in less than a month.

Crime and Public Safety |
Second peace order request against Anne Arundel Orphans’ Court judge dismissed; third case thrown out against him in less than a month

August 6, 2024 at 7:06 p.m.

Anne Arundel Orphans’ Court Judge Marc Knapp still faces a criminal prosecution in September, but three court actions against him have been dismissed in less than a month.

Branch President Steve Waddy said the Anne Arundel NAACP's new board of officers is ready to "contribute mightily to the upcoming election."

News |
Anne Arundel NAACP installs new officers as efforts to mobilize Black voters advance

August 7, 2024 at 1:48 a.m.

Branch President Steve Waddy said the Anne Arundel NAACP's new board of officers is ready to "contribute mightily to the upcoming election."

A Florida man was arrested in Glen Burnie on prostitution and sex trafficking charges after Anne Arundel Police detectives performed a sting operation on an online advertisement, according to charging documents.

Crime and Public Safety |
Florida man arrested in prostitution sting after authorities alerted to hotel, online operation

August 5, 2024 at 6:02 p.m.

A Florida man was arrested in Glen Burnie on prostitution and sex trafficking charges after Anne Arundel Police detectives performed a sting operation on an online advertisement, according to charging...

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