New off-campus police unit at Towson touts success

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - A newly formed police unit tackling nuisance crimes associated with off-campus student housing in Towson has issued “hundreds of citations” and made “dozens of arrests” in the past month, police said Thursday.

The two-officer team patrols the student-populated neighborhoods of Burkeleigh Square, Towson Manor, Riderwood Hills and Donnybrook, and responds to complaints of noise, disruptive parties, and public drinking or urination, said Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson.

“It’s not just for the families with kids, but other students as well,” Johnson said. “The vast majority of students don’t want to be victimized either.”

Each time the team arrests or charges a Towson University student, a copy of the report will be faxed to the campus police department, the school’s office of judicial affairs and the county’s code enforcement department.

Despite efforts, not all problems can be eliminated, Towson University President Robert Caret cautioned.

“For those of you who think we should be policing off-campus, let me point out that it’s very difficult to do,” Caret said. “If a student rents a home out in Jarrettsville, are we supposed to send staff out to Jarrettsville? Where are the boundaries?”

Towson University students said they’ve noticed the increased police presence in off-campus neighborhoods. Student Government Association President Jenny Haley said she’s also heard complaints about police unfairly targeting students for being students.

“I don’t support people breaking the law, but I don’t think they should be out there specifically looking for trouble,” Haley said.

County officials said other town-grown initiatives include a crackdown on illegal student boarding houses in the Towson area. The county has designated two officers to investigate suspected violations and opened 54 new cases since September, a dramatic increase from the prior average, officials said.

But skeptics like Riderwood Hills Community Association President Corinne Becker said the county relies on neighbors to document evidence to prove violations. Becker said her tires were slashed after she reported illegal student renters.

“It’s a very dangerous burden,” Becker said.

Members of the County Council are considering extending a rental registration program countywide, targeting absentee landlords who allow their properties to decay. If approved Monday, landlords will be required to have their properties inspected and permitted and could face fines of $1,000 per day for violations.

jmalarkey@baltimoreexaminer.com

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