Mall Security Ramped Up After Recent Fatal Shooting: Howard Co. Police

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Leaders joined together recently to discuss how the county can combat the uptick in crime and to unveil a new crime reduction plan.

“Recently, we have seen several concerning violent incidents in our county that have shaken our community’s sense of safety. This undue violence has affected our neighbors and friends and breaks our hearts for those who have loved ones involved,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said at a news conference. “As a community, we must do better. We will take steps to ensure our residents, of all ages, are safe and feel safe. Any act of violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. To safeguard our residents, we continue to work closely with HCPD and other stakeholders to implement strong measures to deter and combat crime as public safety remains our number one priority.”

In response to the recent violent incidences in downtown Columbia, HCPD has established a new unit assigned strictly to strengthen security at The Mall in Columbia. HCPD’s new crime reduction plan includes the following measures:

• Increasing high visibility marked patrol cars and uniformed officers patrolling in and around the mall;
• Supplementing and supporting uniformed officers with a series of covert and undercover details;
• Detectives identifying and addressing areas around the mall where increased illegal activity has/is occurring;
• Area patrol units assisting as needed, to ensure all available resources are utilized;
• Reassigning a team of community outreach officers to the mall and nearby pathways to enhance security coverage and gather information;
• Utilizing the mall’s extensive surveillance camera system to identify those engaged in criminal activity in and around the property;
• Assigning drone operators to the detail to provide an overhead view to officers on the ground when needed;
• Working closely with HCPD School Resource Officers to intervene when juveniles are committing violent crimes in the area; and
• A crime analysis team who will provide information about emerging trends or trouble areas in and around the property.

“This has been a very difficult week for the families of the victims, our students, staff and community members across Howard County, and I grieve alongside so many as we try to understand why Michael Robertson and Blake McCray are gone,” said Bill Barnes, superintendent of the Howard County Public School System.” I appreciate and commend school system staff for the way they responded following this event, and to Police Chief Gregory Der, County Executive Calvin Ball, and our many critical community partners working together to find solutions and curb youth violence in our communities.”

In addition to HCPD’s new crime reduction plan, Ball also highlighted other new and existing programs the county is undertaking to address crime in the community. This includes an upcoming new partnership between HCPD and the Division of Parole and Probation, in which HCPD officers will accompany parole and probation officers on home visits.

Through HCPD’s Community Outreach Pathway Section, officers focus on building strong partnerships with local businesses and residents, particularly in Columbia, to address emerging crime and safety concerns and resolve issues before they become larger problems. Whereas patrol officers respond to calls throughout the county, COPS officers focus on neighborhood crimes that routinely affect residents’ sense of safety.

“When crime trends emerge, our police department makes strategic decisions about resource allocation, community education and crime-fighting strategies,” said Howard County Police Chief Gregory Der. “Whether at The Mall in Columbia or in other places around the county, we are creating new strategies and enhancing existing programs to ensure our community is the safest it can possibly be for our residents and visitors.”

Ball also reiterated that despite short-term spikes and drops in crime, overall, violent crime is down by eight percent and aggravated assaults have decreased by 18 percent over the last five years in Howard County.

“As Howard County’s top law enforcement officer, my priority is ensuring justice is served and our community remains safe,” said State’s Attorney Rich Gibson. “The recent tragedies involving the loss of lives is heartbreaking, and we are fully committed to holding those responsible accountable. My office will work tirelessly to prosecute these cases to the fullest extent of the law while addressing the broader issues contributing to violence among our youth. We will not waver in our efforts to seek justice for the victims, their families and our entire community.”