Days after Carroll County sheriff calls Walmart security ‘poor,’ company officials to meet with police leaders

Westminster Police responded to 335 calls at Walmart between Jan. 1 and Aug. 13, 2018, according to data provided by D’Antuono. This year, the department has responded to 417 calls in the same time period, data shows. D’Antuono noted the property checks/foot patrols are part of routine police work.

In the tables, “No report” refers to incidents where police responded but it was not necessary to write a report, D’Antuono said.

The most prevalent crime this year at the Westminster Walmart is theft, which numbers 56, compared to 29 the year before, data shows.

Over the years, D’Antuono said he has seen a decline in the store’s loss prevention department, which he said was once “robust.”

“They don’t seem to be as active as they once were,” he said.

Staff occasionally check customers’ receipts on their way out the door, there are sensors in place to prevent shoplifting and security cameras capture footage, though it’s “not the greatest,” D’Antuono said.

Mount Airy

In Mount Airy, police have responded to 303 incidents this year at the 209 E. Ridgeville Blvd. location, according to data provided by Reitz. Over all of 2018, Mount Airy Police Department responded to 603 “events,” 429 “officer generated events," 173 calls for service, and performed 181 patrol checks and 248 foot patrols, according to Reitz, the police chief.

“I would make the statement that Walmart is problematic for our agency to deal with. We spend a significant amount of time there not only handling calls for service but in a proactive role, which I am sure has helped to reduce criminal activity," Reitz wrote.

The 303 events Mount Airy has responded to so far this year includes nine vehicle stops, 70 property checks and 98 foot patrols, which totals 177 officer-generated events, according to Reitz. “Officer-generated events” refers to events such as vehicle stops, Reitz wrote in an email.

There were 126 events officers responded to as a result of citizen complaints, Reitz wrote.

"I know our particular Walmart was without asset protection/loss prevention for several months. They have recently added a staff member and calls for service are again picking up,” Reitz wrote.

Eldersburg

At the Eldersburg store, at 6400 Ridge Road, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office has responded to 233 calls between Jan. 1 and Aug. 12, 2019, according to Jonathan Light, public information officer for the sheriff’s office.

Criminal activity included one armed robbery, one robbery/purse snatch, two overdoses, three second-degree assaults and 20 thefts, according to Light.

Light was not able to provide data for 2018.

Hampstead

Data shows the Hampstead Walmart has experienced more thefts in the first eight months of 2019 than it did in all of 2018.

Maryland State Police logged 139 calls for service at the Walmart at 2320 Hanover Pike in 2018, according to station commander Lt. Rebecca Bosley. Those calls included: 44 thefts, 22 vehicle collisions, 15 premise alarms, seven patrol checks, seven disorderly subjects, four sick or injured people, two domestic disputes, and one assault, according to Bosley.

Fifty-five of the 139 calls required further police investigation, Bosley said.

So far this year, MSP has responded to Walmart 81 times, 49 of which required further investigation, according to Bosley. Those calls included: 48 thefts, 10 vehicle collisions, four suspicious vehicles/people, two premise alarms, and two patrol checks.

“The Maryland State Police is committed to providing services to all of the great businesses within Carroll County, including Walmart. We are devoted to working with our local Walmart and creating relationships to enhance the safety and security for all citizens,” Bosley wrote in an email Thursday.