Two Charged After Landing at Base of Prettyboy Dam

Green banner with DPW logo and text "Department of Public Works Press Release"

July 1, 2014 (BALTIMORE, MD) — The Baltimore Environmental Police, a division of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, today charged two men with one count each of criminal trespass in connection with an incident Sunday, June 29, in which the men, who were kayaking at the Prettyboy Dam in Parkton, sustained injuries.

The men, Paul K. Hare (DOB 7/29/1992) and Stephen D. Sparks (DOB 1/28/1993), both of Northern Baltimore County, were found near the dam at 7:35 p.m. by Baltimore Environmental Police Officer Heidi Greenleaf and the Maryland Line Volunteer Fire and EMS. They were responding to a call for assistance that came in 10 minutes earlier.

Mr. Hare was found with a large head laceration and transported to York General Hospital in Pennsylvania. He was treated and released at 1:30 a.m. on June 30, 2014.

Mr. Sparks was found at the base of the dam with a severe head injury, possible broken bones, and possible internal injuries. A technical rescue was put into place with the help of the Baltimore Environmental Police, the Maryland Line Volunteer Fire Company and EMS, Hereford Volunteer Fire Company, and Baltimore County EMS.

He was put in a stokes basket and carried up the cliffside and stairs at Prettyboy Dam to the awaiting Maryland State Police Aviation Unit and transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

An investigation determined that both men were in a No Trespass zone and had been boating without pemits. Alcohol is believed to have been involved.
The rescue operation was completed in approximately two and half hours.

The charge is a misdemeanor that carries a possible sentence of up to 1,000 fine and 1 year in jail. The case is in the jurisdiction of the Towson District Court.

Related Stories

DPW Offices and Facilities Close for Good Friday, March 29 Trash, Recycling Pickups to Resume Saturday, March 30

Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Acting Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that Good Friday, March 29, 2024, is a City holiday and DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSEDThere will be NO trash or recycling collections on Good Friday. Trash and recycling collections, normally scheduled for Friday, March 29, will be collected on the make-up day, Saturday, March 30.

Mayor Scott to Nominate Khalil Zaied as New Director of the Department of Public Works

Mayor Brandon M. Scott has announced his intent to nominate Khalil Zaied as the new Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW). Zaied, who most recently led the Department of Public Works in Champaign, Illinois, will join DPW on March 18, 2024. Previously, he was a nearly 20 year veteran of Baltimore City Government, serving as Deputy Mayor of Operations and Director of Transportation, among other roles.

Mayor Scott, City Agencies Highlight the Return of Weekly Recycling

On Monday, March 4, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Department of Public Works Interim Director Richard J. Luna, Department of General Services Director Berke Attila, and Baltimore City Chief Administrative Officer Faith Leach joined city staff and community members to highlight the return of weekly, curbside recycling collections for Baltimore City residents, starting Tuesday, March 5.