Public safety reporter

Dan Belson

Dan Belson is a public safety reporter for The Baltimore Sun's city desk, focused on Baltimore's justice system as well as Maryland's federal courts. He's also reported award-winning stories for The Capital, Southern Maryland News and The Dundalk Eagle. A lifelong Marylander, Dan was raised in Anne Arundel County and graduated from St. Mary's College of Maryland, where he managed the campus newspaper and radio station. You can reach him on Signal at @danbels.62. Email him at dbelson@baltsun.com.

Baltimore Police Officer Robert A. Parks is pictured in a viral video before he begins driving his vehicle toward a man and crashing into a fence. (Screenshot)

Baltimore Police officer loses pay amid suspension over viral crash video

November 11, 2025 at 5:21 p.m.

The Baltimore Police officer seen in a video almost striking a man with his vehicle is now suspended without pay after spending almost two weeks stripped of his police powers...

Taylor Swift performs at Wembley Stadium in London as part of her Eras Tour on June 21, 2024. (Photo by Scott A. Garfitt/Invision/AP, File)

Ellicott City woman who went on ’embezzlement spree’ to fund Taylor Swift tickets, vacations sentenced

November 11, 2025 at 3:53 p.m.

An Ellicott City woman will serve time in federal prison and owe nearly $1.2 million in restitution after embezzling from two employers to pay for luxury trips, cars and Taylor...

The gaming platform Roblox is displayed on a tablet. (FILE/AP Photo)

FBI: Baltimore County man extorted minors on Roblox for online extremist group

November 10, 2025 at 4:58 p.m.

"im going to make sure your mom knows what you do b--- if you don't start slitting your thighs i promise," Halethorpe man allegedly wrote to children.

Anthony Barksdale speaks at a news conference at Baltimore City Hall where he was introduced as the new deputy mayor for public safety. (Staff File)

Anthony Barksdale, Baltimore deputy mayor and former city police official, dies at 53

November 7, 2025 at 6:01 p.m.

Anthony E. Barksdale, deputy mayor of public safety and former acting commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, died Thursday at 53.

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DNA match leads to indictment in 2000 Baltimore kidnapping, rape

November 6, 2025 at 5:35 p.m.

DNA evidence led to the indictment of Michael Harris, already incarcerated on unrelated charges, in a 2000 kidnapping and rape case in Northeast Baltimore, police said.

The Baltimore Police Department’s Southeast District Action Team, assisted by BPD SWAT, Baltimore City Sheriff’s deputies and Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission agents, raided two convenience stores in Southeast Baltimore after a "months-long investigation." About 65 pounds of marijuana, 205 THC vapes, 1,113 individual packages of marijuana products and $63,500 in cash were seized; some of the stash is pictured here. (Handout/Baltimore Police)

Baltimore Police seize cannabis, arrest 3 in convenience store probes

November 6, 2025 at 4:45 p.m.

Police said Thursday that they charged three people after seizing 65 pounds of cannabis from two Southeast Baltimore convenience stores.

A judge’s gavel rests on a book of law. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Man accused in 3 Baltimore-area killings faces first murder trial this week

November 5, 2025 at 5:58 p.m.

Jury selection in Baltimore began in a murder trial for the killing of Sierra Johnson, whom authorities say was killed by the same person they believe fatally attacked a grandmother...

Reports of shoplifting on the 3500 block of Boston Street, where The Shops at Canton Crossing is located, increased by over 71% from last year to this year. The shopping center is anchored by the city's only remaining Target location. The block includes a 7-Eleven store across the street. (Kim Hairston/Staff)

Most types of crimes decreased across Baltimore this year. These haven’t.

November 7, 2025 at 6:50 p.m.

Baltimore is seeing reductions in almost all types of crime — including homicides —this year compared to last, except for a few offenses involving sticky fingers.

Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates discusses the Brandon Grimes indictment and the work of the Conviction Integrity Unit. The unit, headed up by Lauren Lipscomb, discovered fraud in Grimes’ appeal for another look at the ballistics in the crime case. (Surya Vaidy/Staff)

Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates blames ‘previous administration’ for exoneration missteps

November 4, 2025 at 6:10 p.m.

Baltimore State's Attorney Ivan Bates took shots at his predecessor Marilyn Mosby this week, accusing her administration of not doing enough to catch fake evidence and other misconduct in exoneration...

Drivers stand outside their vehicles near the front of a mileslong backup on the outer loop of Interstate 695 near Woodlawn as police investigate the deadly March 22 crash between Security Boulevard and Liberty Road.

Second motorist pleads guilty in Baltimore Beltway crash that killed six

November 4, 2025 at 3:54 p.m.

A Baltimore County woman pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to felony manslaughter charges in connection with a crash on Interstate 695 that killed a six-person construction crew.