Perry Hall Community Praised By Police Chief

PERRY HALL, MD — Baltimore County Police Chief Melissa Hyatt commended Perry Hall's Seven Courts community for starting Citizens on Patrol. She said the initiative began in recent months.

"The fact that this community has taken it upon themselves to put that together is really meaningful, and we're looking forward to further collaboration," Hyatt said before going on a walk around the community with other Baltimore County government leaders.

Hyatt, County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Councilman David Marks and personnel from public works, economic development, health and other divisions within county government walked around Seven Courts to see firsthand what people in the area might need from them.

"The neighbors we talked to discussed issues such as crime, code enforcement, and traffic," Marks said.

Children without supervision running through the neighborhood was a concern, one resident told WBAL.

On crime issues, Marks said he talked to the county executive before the walk and learned there are 40 funded police officer positions that are vacant. He also said the community has made strides on its own to help with public safety, stating: "Volunteers from the newly-formed Seven Courts - Citizens on Patrol talked about the amazing work that has been done in 2019 to organize and improve this dense and older community."