Police Set Up 24/7 Presence at Columbia Mall After Shootings

Howard County officials have announced a new public safety initiative aimed at reducing crime in downtown Columbia. On Monday, Police Chief Gregory Der and County Executive Calvin Ball introduced a dedicated unit focused on increasing patrols in key areas: the Merriweather District, the Mall in Columbia, and the Columbia Lakefront.

As part of the effort, a full-time satellite police office will be established inside the Mall in Columbia, with a dedicated 24/7 patrol beat assigned specifically to the mall.

The initiative comes in response to a string of violent incidents over the past year. In February, a double shooting in the mall’s parking lot resulted in one teenager’s death and left another wounded. The suspect, a teenager already on court-ordered GPS monitoring for previous violent offenses, was arrested and charged.

This followed a fatal shooting in July 2024 inside the mall’s food court. That case remains unsolved, and the suspect is still at large.

Since rolling out increased enforcement efforts, police report there have been no new gun-related crimes in the targeted areas. Officers have also ramped up enforcement of minor offenses—such as trespassing, theft, noise complaints, and other quality-of-life issues—in hopes of preventing more serious crimes from developing.

“Combatting crime and reinforcing the public’s sense of safety are the most critical parts of our mission,” said Chief Der. “When we see an issue emerging, we make strategic decisions about resource allocation and crime-fighting strategies. We’re grateful that the recent increase in police staffing, approved by County Executive Ball, has made it possible to assign resources where they’re most needed.”

In both of the recent shootings, the victims and suspects were teenagers. In response, the Howard County Police Department has partnered with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services to proactively address youth violence. Monthly small-group sessions between officers and local youth are now being held to foster communication and build relationships.

Additionally, the Mall in Columbia continues to enforce its Parental Guidance Policy on Fridays and Saturdays, requiring anyone 17 and under to be accompanied by a parent or guardian after 4 p.m.

Enough Is Enough’: Police Set Up 24/7 Presence at Columbia Mall After Shootings  was originally published on wolbbaltimore.com