Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sykesville police credit multi-jurisdictional work for arrests in vehicle thefts; urge residents to lock cars
Summary
Police reported multiple thefts from vehicles and one stolen car tied to a wider regional crime spree; officers said suspects targeted unlocked vehicles, one suspect was charged in Calvert County, and the department will launch a '9PM routine' social-media campaign urging residents to lock vehicles and remove valuables.
Sykesville police briefed the Town Council on a recent series of thefts from vehicles and a related stolen-car incident, reporting that most affected vehicles were left unlocked and that arrests were made after multi‑agency investigative work.
The police chief reported 12 victims of theft or attempted theft from vehicles on Carter and Autumn Sky and one vehicle stolen the same night; authorities identified the incidents as part of a broader crime spree across other jurisdictions that included Prince George’s, Montgomery and Calvert counties and Washington, D.C. The chief credited Sergeant Lacey and officers for investigative work that led to charges being placed in Calvert County as of the meeting date.
The chief told council members most of the target vehicles were unlocked and noted some contained keys left in consoles. To reduce risk, police said they will launch a social-media safety campaign called the “9PM routine” urging residents to lock vehicles, remove valuables and park in well-lit areas. Corporal Barrett is assigned to prepare the outreach materials. The department also said it will audit streetlighting and identify areas where lighting could be improved.
On a separate public-safety topic, council members once again discussed speeding complaints on roads including Springfield Avenue and Jennifer Way. Police said they are responding to every complaint, using speed trailers to gather data and conducting targeted enforcement. The department noted the town has begun the process to install a speed camera on Springfield Avenue and that more comprehensive traffic-calming measures (such as speed humps) would require a joint evaluation of tradeoffs, including maintenance, noise and snow-plowing implications. Staff noted the town’s Safe Streets for All grant and Carroll County safety plan are potential tools to identify intersections or corridors for improvements.
The police also reminded the public that the department will hold an open house on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m., with the health department accepting unused medications and patrol vehicles on display. The chief also asked the community to observe Police Memorial Week and the addition of new names to the national memorial.
