Citizens On Patrol

History

As you may have heard, many positive things have happened over the past year for our community as a whole. We wanted to take the opportunity to review not just this year but the past ten years of the Stoneleigh COP Program.

Looking back ten years ago, the Stoneleigh Community was in the throes of a ten-year crime wave. Richard Bleser remembers attending a yard sale of a neighbor who was moving out of Stoneleigh. This man told him that he was moving out because he did not feel safe in Stoneleigh. His car had been stolen and his house broken into twice in the previous two years. He was moving farther out into the county to where it was safer to raise his growing family. Richard moved into this community because he was attracted to the same attributes that we all love: the beautiful houses, tree-lined streets, great pool and wonderful elementary school that is within walking distance and a safe neighborhood.

While there is little one can do to positively affect the first three reasons mentioned, Richard knew he wanted a safe community in which to live. Having his car broken into three times in 1993 and 1994, he decided that enough was enough. That was the turning point, when he decided to get involved in the community and attempt to make a difference.

This brief look back is an attempt to answer the following question: Are we better off today than we were ten years ago?

COP Facility

In order to increase the visible police presence in Stoneleigh and to provide a safe and secure place to house the program and its equipment, the building of the Stoneleigh COP/Police Substation was approved by the community association as part of our dedication to preserving our common community values. The COP/Police Substation that was completed in 1999 represents a milestone in the short history of Stoneleigh COP. The substation is used on a daily basis by the Baltimore County Police and the Members of the COP as a facility that offers the police telephone communications to Police and Precinct Headquarters and by the COP staff radio dispatch for COP patrols and the community focal point for crime fighting activities.

Small community-driven fund raising efforts are used as a source to fund neighborhood crime prevention projects.

News

As I look back at the early days of our Stoneleigh Citizen On Patrol organization, it is hard to believe that we have been in operation for over 13 years. At that time, with the number of auto thefts, burglaries, and instances of petty crime on the rise within our borders, the community association was weighing a few options on how best to combat these issues.

One option we considered was hiring private security to patrol Stoneleigh. While it was a good idea that many thought would deter crime in the neighborhood, the cost was prohibitive and we were forced to come up with a creative, cost effective and community oriented alternative. Out of that drive to push the crime out and keep Stoneleigh a safe place in which to live and raise a family, our Citizens on Patrol group was founded.

With the blessing of the Board of Governors, a few of us got together, applied for State and County grants for equipment and launched the program with a handful of participants. The rest, as they say, is history. Within a few short years, our ranks swelled with folks who all wanted to help keep our community safe. The program grew, we raised funds to build a COP/BCPD substation where the equipment is stored, meetings are held and the police use on a regular basis.

The “extra” police presence, having a marked patrol car in the parking lot on occasions, coupled with the participation of many neighborhood residents accomplished what many thought would be impossible. Over the past 10 years, in cooperation with the BCPD rank and file, we have been able to actually have an impact on the crime rate within our neighborhood borders. According to the BCPD statisticians who compile crime data, the overall crime rate in our neighborhood has been reduced by over 65% in the past 12 years. Not bad, Not bad at all!

In addition, our small neighborhood COP has won numerous local, regional and national awards and recognition for our active efforts partnering with local law enforcement agencies to reduce crime.

Where are we today with COP? Thanks to this Community and Police partnership, crime is down in our neighborhood. With this positive news comes a sense of complacency that all is well and safe in Stoneleigh. While crime is down, not to cry wolf, it is still happening. Over the holidays, a car was stolen and a few homes were burglarized. Our COP organization still has a number of diehards that Patrol on a regular basis, but our ranks could use a shot in the arm.

COP is very simple and is completely flexible to conform to your schedule. You choose your day, time and method of patrol. We will train you (takes less than an hour) and make sure that you are properly equipped for your patrol, be it walking, biking, jogging or in your car. We have everything you need. You will even get a free T shirt to boot! Our recruiting goal is simple, the only requirement for a new member is to get one other person involved in COP. This way we can expand the ranks of the organization.

COP is a great way to spend time with an old friend or to get to know your new neighbor while contributing to safety in community.

All we are asking for is some new members to help patrol the neighborhood. Let’s not let complacency and apathy get the better of us. I urge you to get involved and join the COP. Please call Jeff Walen at jfwalen@yahoo.com / 443-928-8898 and we will arrange for your training.

There are many ways you could participate in COP. They include:

• COP Supporter - Be more vigilant as you go about your usual routine in the neighborhood. Carry your cell phone and call 911 or 410-887-2222 if you see anything suspicious.
• COP Drivers/Walker/Runners/Bikers on Patrol – While going through the neighborhood, take your cell phone and call 911 or 410-887-2222 to report suspicious activity. Also call 410-938-2677 (COP building) when you finish your patrol to report any problems.
• COP Car Patroller – Sign up for COP car patrol, one hour a month. (Orientation required.)
• COP "Block Captain" – Be the COP communication link for your block.

Email Jeff Walen at jfwalen@yahoo.com if you are interested in participating in COP.

Contact Information

Jeff Walen
Contact: 410-828-4034  jfwalen@yahoo.com 

...When alarmed, call #911
...When concerned, call
410-877-2222

Important Phone Numbers

COP Message Center Phone and Fax: 410-938-COPS
Towson Precinct’s phone number: 410-887-2222

To receive the latest information on crime in our area, send an email to:

Stoneleigh Board to be added to the Stoneleigh COP email network; and to: Towson Area Crime be added to the Towson Area Crime email network. In the Subject space, insert the word ADD and your email address will be added to these email networks.

Program Accolades

The State of Maryland and Baltimore County have recognized the Stoneleigh COP organization as one that has made a difference in fighting crime. As such, we are among the top COP programs in the state and are the recipient of the following awards:

1998 Governor’s Certificate of Merit for Crime Prevention

1998 Baltimore County Police Community Resource Unit’s Certificate of Appreciation for Crime Prevention

1999 U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland’s Model Community Award