February 2022 Newsletter

Wilkens Police & Community Relations Organization

Tuesday, March 8. 2022 – 7:00 PM

Arbutus Town Hall – 1349 Stevens Avenue  (near the Ice Cream Cottage)

February meeting has been suspended due to emergency COVID related protocols.

The March meeting will include the election of officers including a vacant position for Secretary and Member-At-Large.

For additional information, contact Otis Collins, President: 443-540-7743 or Otis7743@gmail.com.

Community Resources phone number at P1: 410-744-1584

Non-Emergency Police phone number:                 410-887-2222

EMERGENCY – 911

Baltimore County Council District 1 Updates

Do you want to stay up-to-date with what’s happening in Baltimore County’s First Council District? You’ve come to the right place. From water and sewer line replacements to zoning hearings and more are available for review here.

Need to reach the Council Office?

E-mail

council1@baltimorecountymd.gov

District Office

754 Frederick Road

Catonsville, MD 21228

410-887-0896

410-887-1012 (fax)

Hours: M-F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Towson Office

400 Washington Ave.

Towson, MD 21204

410-887-3386

410-887-5791 (fax)

Visit the Master Plan 2030

Hub at any time at

Master Plan 2030 Hub

Master Plan 2030 development is underway. Through the summer and fall of 2021, the Department of Planning conducted a series of Community Engagement Meetings that were held in different communities throughout the County. The input that was gathered will guide the vision for the local community and the County in the next 10 years.

At the heart of this process is the idea that local government should invest more – and more thoughtfully, — in its people and infrastructure. Using what we heard in the summer and fall, we’ve developed draft goals for six Master Plan topics. We’re holding public meetings in February 2022 and are, again, asking for your input on these goals and your assistance in suggesting actions to achieve these goals.

tion, energy, and infrastructure, work together to provide sustainable, green places for living, working, and recreation with a high quality of life.

Harmony with Nature

Monday, February 7th 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Ensure that the contributions of natural resources to human well-being are explicitly recognized and valued and that maintaining their health is a primary objective.

All meetings will held virtually and will begin at 6:00 pm. You can also find links to the meetings on the Master Plan 2030 website.  Make sure you also add the Master Plan 2030 meetings to your calendar!

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration is excited to present the draft Statewide Transit Plan (STP) for your review and comment!

MDOT MTA staff have worked closely with local and regional governments to collaboratively analyze data and engage the public. The draft Statewide Transit Plan offers a collective vision and 7 foundational goals for Maryland’s transit systems over the next 50 years that will promote regional and intercity connectivity to jobs, housing, essential services, and other leisure and business opportunities throughout the state. Within the plan are actionable and measurable strategies that work to achieve its bold vision in 5-year and 25-year timeframes.

The STP Project Team wants your feedback. The draft Plan is available for comment through the project webpage. Here you can also review project materials including the schedule, summary of survey responses, and other related plans and resources.

The draft of the Statewide Transit Plan is available for public comment through February 18th, 2022! There are many ways to comment on the draft plan:

• Provide comments directly on the draft Plan
• Provide comments via our online comment form
• E-mail the project team at mtastp@mta.maryland.gov to:
• Submit a comment or question about the plan; or
• Request a briefing for your organization or community
• Call 410-220-5497 to submit a comment or question by voice message
• Sign up for e-mails to know when major updates are available and when the final plan is published
• Print and mail a comment form to:
• MDOT MTA Office of Customer and Community Relations
  6 St. Paul Street
  Baltimore, MD 21202

Our local Precinct periodically provides helpful information that we pass along. If you have a community related concern, please contact: Officer Tom Warehime, Baltimore County Police Department, Community Outreach Team, 410-887-5165 or twarehime@baltimorecountymd.gov.

The purpose of this alert is to inform you about motor vehicle thefts.  The Balitmore County Police Department wanted to make you aware of this problem, and to provide you with some suggestions that can reduce your chances of being a victim of this type of crime.  Law enforcement agencies across the nation recommend the following auto theft prevention points:

• Whether you leave your car for a minute or for several hours, roll up the windows, lock your car, and take the key;
• Carry your registration with you.  Don’t leave any personal identification documents, keys, or credit cards anywhere in your vehicle;
• Park in busy, well-lit areas;
• Keep packages or valuables in the trunk.  If you leave anything in the car, make certain they are covered and out of sight;
• Copy your license plate and vehicle information (VIN) numbers on a card and keep them with you.  If your vehicle is stolen, the police will need this information to make a report;
• Consider electronic tracking devices that help police find stolen vehicles;
• Many cars are stolen for parts such as air bags, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Xenon headlights, and catalytic converters.  Car thieves tend to stay away from a vehicle that has a vehicle information number (VIN) etched into the doors, windows, trunk, etc.  This makes it diificult for a car thief to market stolen parts;
• Install a mechanical device that locks the steering wheel, column and brakes.  These devices deter some criminals;
• Use steering wheel locks and collars that prevent the steering column from being stripped;
• A significant number of cars are stolen during the early morning hours when vehicle owners are asleep.  The Maryland Vehicle Theft Preventon Council administers the “Watch Your Car Program”, that by consent of a car owner allows the vehicle to be stopped by police between the hours of 1 am and 5am.  You can get more information about this program on the web at https://www.mdautotheft.org/wyc/
• Organize a community partnership to raise awareness, install anti-theft devices, start an etching program, and encourage participation in the “Watch Your Car Program.”

As always, call 9-1-1 if you see anyone attempting to break into a vehicle.  Do not intervene, but call 9-1-1 immediately.  Note any information such as suspect or vehicle descriptions that may be helpful to police.  You can also contact our Crime Information Hotline at 410-583-2309 to get the latest information about crime trends in your community.