The agency says it’s intended to prevent gun violence.
Frederick, Md (KM) An Extreme Risk Protection Order Liaison Program has been developed by the Frederick County Health Department. ERPO, or Extreme Risk Protection Order, is a an order issued by a judge to law enforcement officers to temporarily remove firearms from a home if a resident is considered a danger to themselves or others. :”The goal is remove firearms using a civil process when someone is a clear threat to themselves or others,:” says Jay Hessler, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health Services. “The law gives judges clear legal authority to order firearms removed. And ERPO can be filed by law enforcement, family members of health care providers.”
Hessler says ERPO’s are processed by the Sheriff’s Offices in Frederick and Washington Counties. “The ERPO liaison position will with work their staff in both of those counties to develop a curriculum for law enforcement officers and other agencies and groups of people in Frederick and Washington Counties.” he says.
Along with that, Hessler says the liaison will work with citizens who want firearms temporarily removed from their homes, and that includes guiding them through court process. :”The idea here is to temporarily reduce access to firearms for someone that is experiencing thoughts of suicide. We can decrease the likelihood that a person will make an impulsive and tragic decision,” he says.
He says the goal is to prevent gun violence and suicides in Frederick County. “Suicide remains a problem in our county, and it’s something we’re working diligently to address in multiple ways,” says Hessler.
The Health Department says between January, 2020 and August, 2023, 355 suicides occurred in Frederick County, 51 percent involved firearms. Rural areas experience especially high rates of suicide. The Department says from 2018 to 2023, 42 homicides were recorded in Frederick County, with firearms responsible for 52 percent.
Sheriff Chuck Jenkins says he supports the new initiative. “Our office processes all ERPO’s in Frederick County, and we’re pleased to partner with local stakeholders through a Memorandum of Understanding to support this program,” Jenkins said in a statement. “This collaboration will strengthen education, improve safety in our community and help reduce the number of suicides to firearms.”
Hessler continues: “Simultaneously, we can increase the knowledge of the ERPO Process among our community and agencies, and increase the likelihood the appropriate interventions are utilized. At the end of the day ERPO serves two purposes: it’s a mechanism to try to prevent suicide, and it’s a mechanism to try to prevent firearm violence.”
By Kevin McManus