A new Howard County police satellite office will open in Elkridge, bringing mixed reactions from residents.

The county said Tuesday the new office won’t be staffed 24/7 but will be a “home base” for officers in the area, according to a news release, and is aimed at increasing and improving police presence in the community.

It will be located at the Elkridge Corners shopping center, across the parking lot from the Green Valley Marketplace.

“We are glad to have this additional resource in the Elkridge community,” Howard County Police Chief Gregory Der said in the news release. “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.”

In the past year, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said he’s met with Elkridge residents and local businesses to figure out ways to meet their growing desire 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.”

Data from the police department’s crime dashboard shows that between Jan. 1 and May 31 last year, there were two reports of burglaries/breaking and entering, one forcible sex offense and 21 incidents involving destruction/damage/vandalism of property in Dorsey’s Search in District 1. About 100 residents voiced concerns about crime and safety last summer at an Elkridge town hall meeting.

Howard County Council Chair and District 1 council member Liz Walsh hosted the meeting to address efforts the county was taking to reduce crime such as installing gates and security cameras, hiring more police officers and implementing programs such as Teen Kick Backs, a free drop-in program for youths ages 11-17, to try and keep them off the streets.

But Beverly Noffsinger, who moved to Hanover five years ago, said she has never felt unsafe living in the area and sees the addition of the police satellite office as an overreaction, a solution to an undefined problem.

She described recent changes as “disconcerting.” The Green Valley Marketplace is her closest grocery store, and she said she’s noticed a “COVID-like fear” when she shops there. As a result, she shops online when possible.

The addition of a security guard at Green Valley Marketplace and the placement of plastic screens in front of items on the shelves in the nearby Walgreens creates a “depressing” feeling, she said.

“You just don’t feel right,” Noffsinger said. “It’s starting to feel emotionally run down. … I think people will think twice about coming here.”

Charles Knaack, a longtime Elkridge resident, said he doesn’t feel unsafe, calling the community “a good area.” He said he’s neutral about increasing the police presence in the area.

“I don’t know if it’s actually needed,” Knaack said.

Other local shoppers say they’d feel safer with more police nearby. The Elkridge Community Alliance welcomes the satellite office, the group’s president, Laura Wisely, said in a news release.

“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,” she added.

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