June 3, 2003

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

PARKVILLE’S OWN POLICE PRECINCT – AT LONG LAST

At long last, after 10 years, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith took action to give Parkville its own police precinct.

Despite citizen protests, in an effort to cut county government costs in 1993, the police protection needs of the Parkville area were merged with the protection needs of several other communities and placed under the auspices of the White Marsh precinct. The perception has been that White Marsh, a rapidly growing area, demands more police attention that the stable older communities of the Parkville area. Indeed, one police precinct for the huge population of White Marsh and Parkville ran the risk of spreading police protection too thin.

Last year, during the election campaign, and again when immediately after County Executive Smith was sworn into office, I appealed to him to give Parkville its own police precinct with its own commander and staff. Within his first six months in office, Jim Smith has acted to establish a Parkville Police precinct.

The White Marsh precinct, 35 miles square with a population of over 65,000, encompasses parts of the communities of White Marsh, Rosedale, Overlea, Rossville, Middle River, Perry Hall and Kingsville. The Parkville precinct, 51 square miles with a population of over 73,000, encompasses the communities of Parkville, Carney, Perry Hall and parts of White Marsh, and Kingsville.

As of June 9^th, the police chief of the new Parkville precinct will be Captain Ronald B. Schwartz, who was born, raised and still lives in Parkville. It should also be noted that Captain Schwartz began his 33-year law enforcement career as a beat patrolman in Parkville.

Captain Schwartz and the three lieutenants assigned to the Parkville precinct will be able to beef up the area’s police protection.

The establishment of the Parkville precinct is good news that has been a long time in coming. Nevertheless, as a representative of the residents in these communities, I, along with them, thank County Executive Jim Smith for his prompt action to give the safety of the Parkville area greater emphasis and attention.