Police to Bring Holiday Cheer to Royal Inn

Members of the Anne Arundel County Police Department are working to bring some holiday cheer to to families residing at the Royal Inn in Odenton. 

Officers have partnered with members of the community to provide dinner to families Thursday night, and will be on hand as Santa Claus visits with members of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Department. Police said it was an extension of its effort to improve the quality of life in the north Odenton corridor, often referred to as "Boomtown." The Royal Inn, in particular, has been the site of several incidents of violence and other criminal activity. It is also home to many of the area's poorest families.

"The Royal Inn has been plagued with violence, crime and substance abuse, all of which the children living there have been exposed to at various times," the police department said in a press release. "Members of the local business community recently reached out to the Anne Arundel County Police Department for help in facilitating assistance to the families, specifically the children living in the Royal Inn."

Police officers will be on hand for a tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Thursday, and then will serve dinner as children write letters to Santa and make picture frames. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by fire truck at 6:30 p.m.