August 31, 2022
On Monday, October 10th, 2022 at 6pm, the House of Otem will host a virtual Faith and Blue Event to form a community coalition between residential communities, business communities, government, law enforcement, which will be lead by our community faith-based organizations. All stakeholders are invited to this event.
MISSION Faith & Blue was launched to facilitate safer, stronger, more just and unified communities by directly enabling local partnerships among law enforcement professionals, residents, businesses and community groups through the connections of local faith-based organizations.
The initiative aims to re-calibrate police-community relations through solutions-focused, in-person, socially distanced and/or virtual activities that are organized jointly by faith-based or other community groups and law enforcement agencies.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
Defining Community Policing
Identifying Needs
Improving Communications
Join Senator Charles Sydnor III, The Security Woodlawn Business Association (SWBA), Baltimore County Police, and other community and faith-based leaders on this worthy mission.
Anyone interested in joining the meeting, click the below link to register. Please share with family, friends, and neighbors.
August 26, 2022
August 24, 2022 Baltimore County
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced the County will host a design charrette, a collaborative process that will engage Woodlawn-area residents and community leaders in reimagining the Security Square Mall area. The charrette, scheduled to take place in fall 2022, will provide a forum for ideas and feedback, allowing everyone who participates to contribute as an author of the plan for the site. “Input in the planning process from local residents, community leaders and business owners — those who know the area best — is consistent with our values of open and connected government, and will be key to the success of a reimagined Security Square mall,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski.
“Revitalizing this community hub will be a boon to the local economy and a game changer for the health and wellbeing of the Woodlawn community.”
One of the most unique aspects of the charrette process is the opportunity for community members, stakeholders, and designers to collaborate, in real-time, on a vision for the future. Consultants JMT, Ayers Saint Gross and Landwise have been contracted by the Baltimore County Department of Planning to lead the charrette process and the schedule will be as follows:
Project kickoff meeting (V): Tuesday, September 13, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Setting the vision workshop (IP): Wednesday, October 12 at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Design open house session (IP) Thursday, October 13, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Design open house session (IP) Friday, October 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Design open house session (IP) Monday, October 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Design open house session (IP) Tuesday, October 18, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Design open house session (IP + V) Wednesday, October 19, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Design open house session (IP) Thursday, October 20, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Design open house session (IP) Friday, October 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reimagine Security Square workshop (IP) Saturday, October 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Design refinement meeting (IP+V) Wednesday, November 2, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Closing presentation (IP+V) Wednesday, November 9, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
All in-person (IP) meetings will be held at the Set the Captives Free Outreach Center, located at 6901 Security Blvd., Windsor Mill, 21244. Virtual (V) meeting links will be shared on a soon-to-be-live website. While events do not require registration to attend, constituents with questions about the sessions or overall project should email securitysquaremall@baltimorecountymd.gov.
Security Square Mall opened to the public in 1972 and has long been occupied by regional and national stores. However, in recent decades, as major tenants such as JC Penney, Bennigan’s, International House of Pancakes (IHOP) and Sears have shuttered and remained vacant, the site has declined and remains underutilized. Surrounding communities have long sought revitalization, and earlier this year County Executive Olszewski and House Speaker Adrienne Jones jointly announced capital investments from the state and county for the Security Square site.
Last week, Olszewski announced that the County will acquire the 202,653 square-foot former Sears building, which is directly connected to the mall. Plans for development, redevelopment or repositioning of the former Sears site, and use of the remaining funds committed for the site, will be informed by the outcome of the charrette. The purchase is subject to approval by the County Council on September 6, and will go to closing by September 30.
Currently, the 90-acre Security Square Mall site has several owners with disparate uses. In addition to dozens of retail stores on the interior of the actual mall property, it currently houses a Macy’s department store, AMC movie theatre, the Woodlawn Health Center, the North American Trade School drivers’ academy, and the Set the Captives Free Outreach, Worship and Education (OWE) Center.
Please share with family, friends, and neighbors.
August 12, 2022
For years, community residents have complained about tractor-trailer parking in residential neighborhoods. Residents claimed that they were an eyesore, and presented a safety hazard by obstructing views. Police officers would often issue parking tickets to violators but this seemed to do nothing to stop this illegal practice. The drivers of these vehicles could be heard saying "it is cheaper to pay the ticket $52 ticket than to pay for parking in authorized places." So the problem persisted.
COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIPS
Officer Bryen Glass of the Woodlawn Precinct Community Outreach Team made a friendly visit to the office of Councilman Tom Quirk, 1st District Baltimore County councilman. On this particular day, the suggestion was made to significantly increase the fines to $500 to deter future violations since they were so easily disregarded. The Woodlawn Precinct Community Outreach Team, and Councilman Quirk's Office had worked on numerous complaints in the past, and had always maintained a good working relationship when it came to resolving community complaints.
BALTIMORE COUNTY COUNCIL ACTION
Two years ago, the Baltimore County Council heard the outcry from residents in regards to tractor-trailer parking in residential neighborhoods, and responded accordingly. The fine was boosted to $500 for the tractor-trailer combo, or $250 for each section.
§ 18-2-206. - PARKING A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE IN A RESIDENTIAL ZONE.
(f) Penalty for parking a tractor, trailer, or tractor-trailer. If the commercial vehicle parked in violation of this section consists of a tractor, trailer, or a combination tractor-trailer, the person violating this section is subject to a fine of $250 each for the tractor or trailer and $500 for a tractor and trailer, in combination, for each day the violation exists.
This new legislative action significantly decreased the violations and complaints. This was just one small example of how communities, government agencies, and elected officials can, and have worked together to resolve issues, especially quality of life issues.
However, recently the complaints have seemingly increased not only in residential neighborhoods but in commercial zones with time restrictions. Mr. Ryan Coleman, president of the Randallstown NCAAP, has also made efforts to engage community groups, residents, and local police to become more active in addressing the problem.
WHAT CAN RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES DO?
When residents observe violations on the public street, they should report it immediately to the police department by dialing the non-emergency number at 410-887-2222. If the vehicle is on private property, contact Baltimore County Code Enforcement at 410-887-3351 or online by clicking this link. Give a description of the vehicle, tag number if possible, and the location of the violations. Callers can remain anonymous, or request to speak to the responding officer if they would like to know what action was taken to resolve the complaint.
If you know of a neighbor who parks their tractor-trailers on the street, or on residential property, kindly remind them that it is illegal to park tractor-trailers, whether its attached or not, on the street or the residence. Baltimore County Police and Code Enforcement are aggressively enforcing these laws and they may be issued a citation with a hefty fine.
TRACTOR-TRAILER PARKING LOCATIONS
For drivers, and owners of tractor-trailers, please click the button below to locate some accepted parking locations.
Any questions, please contact your local police precinct. Please share with family, friends, and neighbors. Don't forget to subscribe to www.4410online.com.
