Police Chief, County Exec In Owings Mills For National Night Out

OWINGS MILLS, MD — The county executive and police chief were in Owings Mills Tuesday for National Night Out. Recognized the first Tuesday in August, National Night Out is a community-building event celebrated in thousands of neighborhoods across the country.

To strengthen partnerships that foster public safety, some National Night Out events involve street parties with local law enforcement, and many residents turn on their front porch lights to help reduce crime.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski visited several community events, including the one hosted by the Owings Mills/Newtown Community Association, for National Night Out. He was joined by Baltimore County Police Chief Melissa Hyatt.

Police officers and firefighters were in attendance too.

McGruff the Crime Dog was also at the National Night Out event hosted by the Owings Mills/Newtown Community Association at Central Park from 6 to 8 p.m. The event was on New Town Boulevard and Fitch Hill Road.

"National Night Out is an important opportunity for our residents to come together with each other and public safety officials to build and strengthen relationships while working to safeguard our communities," Olszewski said. "I am very proud of the Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore County Fire Department and I look forward to seeing everyone out for the events around the county."

Olszewski visited one other National Night Out event in the area, and that is the one sponsored by the Liberty Road Business Association/Liberty Road Volunteer Fire Department, 11010 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133. The county executive anticipated stopping by at 6:45 p.m. The event there ran from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The Chartley Homeowners Association and Country Club Estates Community Association also offered a party for the community. Theirs was at the Chartley Shopping Center at 525 Main Street in Reisterstown.

The Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Department let people get on the fire truck and answered questions from the community.

There were free food tickets to the first 500 people who showed up and the chances to win prizes like a children's bike. Police were on hand to discuss home security, personal security, security surveys, domestic violence and child seat installation with residents. BGE and McGruff the Crime Dog also attended. The party was at Chartley Shopping Center at 525 Main Street in Reisterstown from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

RELATED: Baltimore County Plans More Than 50 National Night Out Events