By Ashleigh Fields,
Special to the AFRO
The city of Glenarden is hosting an expungement fair from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on May 6 at the James R. Cousins Jr. Municipal Center (Gold Room). The event is hosted by Councilmember James Herring, of Ward 1, and Councilman Maurice Hairston, of Ward 2. Their goal is to help citizens get a second chance at life.
“We’re not in politics, it’s just about helping people,” said Herring.
The event will feature free giveaways, employment resources and legal help. According to the Office of the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County, this event has assisted over 500 people with expungement petitions in the last year alone.
“They will cover all costs for expungement petitions that will be filed in Prince George’s County that are associated with this event,” Denise Roberts, communications director for Prince George’s County shared with the AFRO.
Other partners for the event include The Solid Foundation, DXT Therapeutic Services, Employ Prince George’s, Life After Release, Gun’s Down Friday and the Denney House. Herring and Hairston believe they need to get more people involved.
“Even though we are getting people’s records expunged, one thing we need to work on is asking Maryland to expunge non-violent gun charges,” said Hairston.
They believe this adjustment will improve the lives of families across the state.
“Overall we are just trying to give people second chances, a lot of guys result to old ways because they feel like they can’t get a second chance,” said Herring.