Live Blog: Catonsville-Arbutus Safety Summit

(Updated 8:40 p.m.) A few more residents ask questions about if they are receiving accurate information about break-ins in Catonsville in local media outlets. Lt. John Rossbach responded by saying they give out all the police reports to both Arbutus Patch and Catonsville Patch and the Catonsville Times.

[Editor's note: Catonsville Patch posts all break-ins or burglary summaries that are shared with us]

We're now wrapping up after more than an hour and a half of information and questions.

(Updated 8:35 p.m.) Capt. Spiroff addresses the concerns of the Medwick Garth residents, saying that he is personally meeting with commanding officers from city jurisdictions.

Spiroff said that they have made arrests in the spree of break-ins in Catonsville, but he can't release any more information becaue the investigation is continuing.

"My detectives would be having a fit if I gave out too much information right now," he said.

(Updated 8:30 p.m.) Residents of the Medwick Garth community said that with the recent break-ins in their community have not yielded an increase in police presence that officers have said tonight. The community is right on the city-county line and includes residents in both jurisdictions.

"We're not feeling that presence," said Scott Gainey, a member of the community association.

Residents said they also have difficulty with getting a quick response time with 911 as they are on the border.

(Updated 8:10 p.m.) Officer Tom Warehime is addressing residential security.

A couple of things residents can do is keep shrubbery from being overgrown around their home and also improve lighting on their property.

An important thing to keep in mind with keeping shrubbery trimmed back around windows and basement windows is it may allow neighbors to easily notice someone breaking into your home if you are not there.

Police also recommend deadbolts and a bar inside against a sliding glass door as an extra barrier. They also recommend an extra level of a lock on a window such as installing a bolt catch that is taken off when you want to open the window.

Baltimore County Police will do a home security survey of your home for free that will go through ways to make your home more safe. The assessment takes about an hour. Anyone interested should call 410-744-1584.

(Updated 7:55 p.m.) Officer Bill Rubie started a presentation on personal safety.

For people who are concerned about crimes against personal safety, the best thing to do is to avoid resisting a criminal in a confrontation.

"Physical resistance is not advised unless in life-threatening situations," he said.

A few other pieces of advice: don't show large amounts of cash, cross the street if you're being followed by someone and be aware of your surroundings when you are alone.

(Updated 7:45 p.m.) Spiroff started to address the burglaries, emphasizing that residents need to call 911 if they see anything suspicious.

The department's strategy is a mix of increased patrol presence, but they also have put officers in plainclothes to survey areas where there have been break-ins. Patch reported about this strategy in with Capt. Spiroff several weeks ago.

In 2010, eight people were arrested for burglaries in the area in the first quarter, but in 2011, 23 people were arrested for burglaries in the first quarter.

"Based on the statistics we have the police are doing their job," he said.

A trend the department is noticing is an increase in repeat offenders who are commiting crimes again in the precinct, Spiroff said.

(Updated 7:30 p.m.) The Wilkens precinct is the only precinct in Baltimore County that is bordered by three other police jurisdictions, Spiroff said.

Officers from all of the jurisdictions (Howard, Anne Arundel and Baltimore city) meet at least monthly to discuss cases and share information, he said.

Spiroff responds to criticism that the precinct's traffic team is only on the streets for revenue. At Wilkens, Spiroff said that the officers assigned to traffic are also involved in traffic safety stops that can lead to arrests other than speeding.

The precinct also has an officer on foot on Frederick Road and in the Lansdowne area. They have also established as gang coordinator for the precinct. Some officers who may have not seemed as accessible because although they may not be at every community meetings, they are doing other things, he said.

"We have a lot of resources," he said.

(Updated 7:20 p.m.)  In 2010, the officers responded to more than 60,000 calls for service, according to Capt. John Spiroff, the precinct commander.

Despite the recent increase in break-ins and other types of crimes, Spiroff said the precinct still have one of the lowest crime rates in the county.

Spiroff, who lives in the precinct, said the goal of the precinct has always focused on one thing: crime will not be tolerated in the Wilkens district. It's simple, he said, but it's drilled into the officers who work here.

(Updated 7:05 p.m.) We have a pretty good turnout so far for the safety summit. A number of officers are here, as well as elected officials and business leaders. So far there are at least 65 people in the meeting room at .

(Original story) Officers with Precinct 1/Wilkens of the Baltimore County Police Department are hosting a at in Catonsville at 7 p.m. tonight.

Check back with this article for updates during the meeting.