McGruff, Officers, VIPs to Attend National Night Out Events Tonight

Residents of eight communities within the Baltimore County Police Department's will gather tonight to observe National Night Out.

Planned attendees include McGruff the Crime Dog, school resource officers and members of the precinct's Community Outreach Team, who will provide useful information regarding public safety. 

"Officers from the Community Outreach unit will be attending every event," said Sgt. Vickie Warehime, the precinct's community outreach supervisor.

The community outreach team includes the traffic unit, school resource officers, community outreach officers, and the domestic violence coordinator, Warehime explained.

"National Night Out is designed to generate support for anti-crime programs. ... It also builds the police/community relationship. National Night out also sends a message to criminals that they are not welcome in that community," she said.

It's also an opportunity to meet your local police officers. Here's where they will visit tonight, Warehime said:

• Warehime and Officer Luke Matthews will visit events in the Ralston Community and at Quarry Lake.

• Officer Keith Ketterman and Officer Kevin Sypniewski—who will be the school resource officer at this year, after working in the past—will attend the Sudbrook Park, Pahls Crossing and Willow Glen South events.

• Officer Larry Stallings and Officer James Bell—who is the school resource officer for Old Court Middle School—will attend three events: Valleybrook Improvement Association in Randallstown, the Woodholme Greene Homeowners Association, and Old Mill Estates.

• Officer Will Folk of the Pikesville Precinct will visit each event as McGruff, Warehime said. And McGruff's handler will be Officer Joe Groalczyk, who is the school resource officer for Pikesville High School.

County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson will attend four events throughout the county, including the Valleybrook event in the Pikesville Precinct, according to a news release from the county executive's office.

The police department, along with county civic groups, will mark the 28th anniversary of National Night Out, a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, the release states.

Following are the Pikesville Precinct events, according to Warehime:

Valleybrook Improvement Association will hold a community gathering from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 8301 Scotts Level Road, Randallstown.

Woodholme Green Homeowners Association will hold a community walk from the Woodholme entrance to Rosland Court, followed by a rally. The event is set for 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the entrance to Woodholme-Trentham Road.

Old Mill Estates will hold a community gathering and outdoor movie, Despicable Me, from 6-8:30 p.m. at Mary Ridge and Spyce Mill drives, in the open field on the right.

Sudbrook Park will hold a hot dog roast and caravan from 6-7 p.m. at Sudbrook and Cliveden roads.

Pahls Crossing will hold a meet and greet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Pahls Farm Way and Red Jonathan Court.

Willow Glen South will hold a community gathering from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Prince George and Leafydale.

Ralston Community will hold a community gathering from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at 118 Brightside Ave.

Quarry Lake at Greenspring will hold a community gathering of children from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Pebbleton Court. Take the first left through the gatehouse.

For information about National Night Out, and how to get involved in your community, contact the Pikesville Precinct Community Outreach Team at 410-887-6775, and an officer will be able to help you, Warehime said.