ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and Howard County Police Department (HCPD) Chief Gregory Der today announced the establishment of a new police satellite office at Green Valley Marketplace in Elkridge. The new satellite office will provide patrol officers assigned to the area with a home base to address concerns in the Elkridge and surrounding areas.
During the past year, we have worked with our Elkridge residents and local businesses to address their concerns. At the center of these conversations were requests for a more visible and consistent police presence, especially around US 1, Howard County Library System’s Elkridge Branch, Walgreens, and Green Valley Shopping Center. This new satellite office expands our community policing progress even further and supports our patrol officers to building relationships with community members, being more proactive, and maintaining a visible presence to ensure Howard County is the safest place to live, work, and play.
While not staffed 24/7, the new satellite office will provide patrol officers assigned to the area with a home base where they can:
- Complete reports and conduct investigative follow-ups;
- Maintain a visible presence in the community;
- Build relationships with local businesses and residents; and
- Stay rooted in Elkridge during their shifts, rather than operating from a more distant precinct.
We are glad to have this additional resource in the Elkridge community. Our goal is to continue to grow positive relationships with residents and businesses to ensure we are providing the best possible service. They will see officers on foot, bike and mobile patrols throughout the area.
“Green Valley Marketplace is proud to partner with local community and government leaders, along with the Howard County Police Department, to provide this valuable resource to the community we serve,” said Rick Rodgers, CEO of Green Valley Marketplace. “We appreciate the opportunity to continue providing our Elkridge Customers with a fantastic shopping experience."
This new satellite office further reflects County Executive Ball’s and HCPD’s commitment to crime prevention through visibility and proactive patrols, strengthening police-community trust, supporting small businesses and preserving essential services, and responding directly to community advocacy. It also builds upon HCPD’s efforts to implement stronger measures to deter and combat crime throughout Howard County.
“Elkridge Community Alliance welcomes a Howard County Police satellite office. We appreciate the partnership with Green Valley Marketplace to help establish police presence in our community so that we can have a stronger sense of security for our residents and businesses,” said Laura Wisely, President, Elkridge Community Alliance.
Earlier this year, Ball and Der unveiled its new “Crime Reduction Plan” for Downtown Columbia to strengthen security at The Mall in Columbia, combat area crime, and ensure community members feel safe. Then last month, Ball announced the creation of a permanent, full-time unit of officers from HCPD’s Community Outreach & Pathways Section (COPS) assigned to Downtown Columbia, including the Merriweather District, The Mall in Columbia, and Columbia Lakefront.
In addition, HCPD has also begun partnering with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) to attend prescheduled events as part of its juvenile monitoring program. HCPD has also partnered with the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to accompany State Division of Parole and Probation staff on home visits to adult offenders on parole.
Finally, Ball also recently announced the establishment of his new Youth Engagement Strategy Council, created in direct response to the urgent need for a more coordinated and proactive approach to youth engagement and violence prevention in Howard County.
Howard County will continue to allocate resources as needed to positively impact the public’s ability to be safe and feel safe.