Voices in Action

From urgent calls to action to moments of hope, this feed reflects the heartbeat of our community. These are the posts we're amplifying - because safety isn't a privilege - it's a promise we should all keep.

Federal Government Shutdown

Maryland's Governor Declares

State-of-Emergency 

because of SNAP.

It's not just about numbers, it's about trust. When leaders ignore structural planning, they gamble with public services, safety nets, and taxpayer confidence. 

Structural planning is a critical process that ensures the longevity and stability of a government’s budget. It extends beyond the objective of achieving a balanced budget for a single fiscal year, focusing instead on creating a sustainable financial framework that can endure over time without succumbing to the pressures of unsustainable expenditure.

A structurally sound budget does not use non-recurring revenues to fund recurring expenses. That's like using a holiday bonus to pay your monthly mortgage, it works once, but it's not sustainable.

When governments skip structural planning, they are often:

  • Fund long-term programs with short-term money
  • Create deficits when temporary revenue dries up.
  • Face painful cuts or tax hikes to rebalance.

📞 How to Report Spoofed or Scam Calls

1. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Go to the FTC Complaint Assistant.
• Select “Unwanted Calls” → “Phone Scams”.
• Provide the number (e.g., 410‑805‑1555), the date/time of the call, and any voicemail details.
• This helps the FTC track patterns and shut down abusive robocall operations.

2. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• File a complaint at the FCC Consumer Complaint Center.
• Choose “Phone” → “Unwanted Calls”.
• The FCC uses these reports to enforce rules around spoofing and robocalls.

3. National Do Not Call Registry
• Register your number at donotcall.gov.
• If you’re already registered, you can also report unwanted telemarketing calls there.
• While spoofed calls may still slip through, this reduces legitimate telemarketing traffic.

4. Carrier Call Protection Tools
• Most carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T‑Mobile, etc.) offer free or paid apps that block known spam numbers.
• Ask your carrier about STIR/SHAKEN technology, which authenticates caller IDs to reduce spoofing.

5. Local Awareness
• Share your experience with community groups, senior centers, or advocacy platforms like Voices for Safety™.
• Awareness is powerful — it helps others recognize the signs before they fall victim.