HAGERSTOWN – Hagerstown officials highlighted progress in public safety, housing efforts and economic growth during the city’s annual State of the City address. Mayor Bill McIntyre and department leaders reflected on the past year’s achievements and outlined future priorities.
The presentation, delivered at a community gathering hosted by the Washington County–Hagerstown Chamber of Commerce, focused on “2025 by the numbers,” using data from city departments and community partners to illustrate how municipal programs affect residents.
McIntyre said the first full year of the current administration has been marked by what he described as “a whirlwind of activity,” as city leaders work with council members, staff and community partners to improve safety, services and economic opportunities.
Public safety improving
City officials reported positive trends in public safety, noting that overall crime numbers declined while staffing increased.
Police leaders credited new technology, additional sworn personnel and changes in staffing structure, including civilian positions such as a real-time information center, for helping make the city safer.
“Our job is to not just serve and protect, but to make people feel safe when they come out into the city streets,” officials said in the presentation.
Fire officials also reported significant progress in prevention efforts.
In 2025, the Hagerstown Fire Department responded to more than 4,600 emergency calls and conducted extensive outreach through its community risk reduction program. Firefighters knocked on more than 3,400 doors and installed 302 smoke alarms throughout neighborhoods.
Officials reported zero civilian fire fatalities in the city during the year, crediting prevention programs and community engagement for the milestone.
Reorganized development departments
One major structural change in 2025 was the reorganization of several city departments to improve efficiency and streamline development.
The restructuring moved the planning department into the economic development department, shifted permits and inspections to the city engineer’s office and created a new housing and community development department.
Officials said the changes are intended to improve transparency, reduce delays, and strengthen communication with developers by creating a dedicated development liaison.
The new structure is designed to “enhance efficiency, accountability and customer service while fostering clear communication, partnership and investment in the community,” officials said.
Housing initiatives focus on neighborhood investment
Housing stability and neighborhood revitalization were also key themes of the address.
The city continues to participate in Maryland’s ENOUGH initiative, a statewide effort to address poverty and housing instability.
Through the program, city leaders are working with eight community partner organizations to provide rental assistance, support services and neighborhood investments designed to move families “from surviving to thriving.”
Hagerstown and the Hagerstown Housing Authority have also jointly applied for a $26 million federal Choice Neighborhoods implementation grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
If awarded, the grant would fund housing improvements, neighborhood investments and expanded pathways to homeownership within an area bounded by Prospect and Mulberry streets, Cannon Avenue and Eastern and Memorial boulevards.
Homelessness ordinance becomes permanent
Officials also discussed the city’s prohibited outdoor lodging ordinance, which prohibits camping or sleeping on city property.
The policy was initially adopted as a temporary measure but was made permanent earlier this year.
City leaders said the ordinance has reduced illegal activity and encouraged individuals experiencing homelessness to seek shelter or treatment services.
“What we’ve actually seen is a reduction in what people viewed as the image of homelessness that wasn’t,” officials said, adding that some individuals entered shelters or agreed to treatment for the first time after the policy was implemented.
Workforce and community partnerships
Officials emphasized that city services rely on a large municipal workforce.
The city employs about 578 workers across departments responsible for utilities, infrastructure, parks and public safety.
City leaders said those employees play a crucial role in maintaining services for Hagerstown’s more than 43,000 residents.
Interest in municipal employment has also grown significantly. In 2025, the city received more than 4,200 job applications, nearly a 50 percent increase from the previous year, according to the human resources department.
Community leaders
The city also recognized individuals whose work has benefited the community.
Hagerstown awarded the Key to the City, the municipality’s highest honor, to two people in the past year:
- Bill Girtner, founder of the nonprofit Gatekeepers
- Dennis Scott, a Hagerstown native and former Atlantic Coast Conference basketball player of the year who later became an NBA standout.
Officials said the honor symbolizes trust, gratitude and recognition for individuals whose contributions have strengthened the community.
Looking Forward
McIntyre concluded the address by thanking city employees, community partners and residents for their role in shaping Hagerstown’s future.
He said the city’s progress reflects collaboration among government agencies, nonprofit organizations and residents.
“It’s never lost on us as an administration that making Hagerstown a city we can all be proud of is a collaborative effort,” McIntyre said.
City leaders said the focus moving forward will remain on economic growth, neighborhood investment and strengthening services that improve the quality of life for residents.
