Towson’s Fear of Rising Crime

Collaborative efforts by law enforcement, residents, and students of Towson are aimed at stemming the tide of criminal activity within the growing city’s perimeter. From street robberies to home invasions to violent assaults, Towson’s criminal statistics are ominously creeping upward. Comparing crime stat averages over the last five years, robberies increased by 6.22%, aggravated assaults by 13.1%, violent crime by 9.3%, with an overall rise in total crime by 4.1% from January to September of last year.

The recent stabbing of a Towson University student and an armed robbery at Towson Center are piquing the interest of many of its 55,000 residents, causing some to unite in action. Rather than retreating in fear and frustration, residents have launched public safety initiatives throughout the community, including the University. Volunteers dutifully patrol streets and report suspicious activity to the local precinct, while encouraging business participation to help keep the streets safe.

But many question how residents will cope with Towson’s agenda of greater urbanization and development, which historically has correlated with an increase in crime. With Towson Square Commercial Project and Towson Row at hand—along with other developments likely to lure more visitors—residents are understandably on edge. With the addition of new office, retail, dining, residential and hotel spaces, patrons will eagerly gravitate to the newly transformed area. Some residents living outside Towson proper fear this growth will lead to law enforcement and resources being reallocated to central Towson; thus, leaving them with a dwindling police presence. Rob Williams of Rodgers Forge is particularly troubled by what he believes is the probability that police will be diverted away from neighboring communities to the York Road corridor as development ensues.

However, county officials are more positive. Kevin Kamenetz, county executive, assures Towson residents the planned growth is not a safety concern, as evidenced by the drop in the number of homicides reported last year. City Councilmen David Marks echoes Kamenetz in his optimism that future crime rates elicit no need for alarm, further noting that the city has ample time to prepare for whatever its growth might bring. Nancy Hafford, executive director of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, also concurs. She points to the millions of dollars being invested into the area as assurance to preserving the city’s social reputation.

According to Police Chief Johnson, Towson residents can breathe easier since law enforcement recently solved several robberies, which he attributes to a few repeat offenders. Chief Johnson points out that lone, inattentive residents have been the victims of choice for these types of criminals.

Towson residents are quick to express appreciation for work the police are doing to solve crimes. And many are willing to personally work to thwart future offenses by sacrificing time (and quite possibly, safety) to patrol the streets of their community. However, for some, the lingering concern about Towson’s inevitable growth creates anxiety over the unknown. What the substantial growth will mean to the safety and welfare of the city at large is yet to be seen. For now, residents are remaining guarded but hopeful. As one Towson University student—who was the unfortunate victim of a stabbing last November—poignantly sums it up: “It’s easy to feel “jumpy” when walking at night.

If you have been charged with a violent crime in the state of Maryland, it is in your best interest to seek out an experienced, Maryland criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. For information regarding legal representation, please visit the following page.