The Harford County sheriff's office will open community police substations Tuesday in 7-Eleven stores in Edgewood, Fallston, Jarrettsville and Abingdon.
Each substation will have work space for deputies inside the store.
The substations "will provide space for deputies to write reports and conduct follow-up phone calls pertinent to their investigations," said Capt. Richard Aiello, commander of the sheriff's division of administrative services.
The sheriff's office has operated two other community substations, in an apartment and a shopping center storefront in Edgewood, for more than a year, Sheriff Robert E. Comes said.
"It is like bringing back the old [foot patrol] beat, and people in the neighborhoods really appreciate it," he said.
Mike Bergen, marketing manager for the convenience storessaid 7-Elevens are ideal for community police facilities because they are busy and are based in neighborhoods.
Don Hefner, franchise operator of the Fallston 7-Eleven, said his store draws about 1,500 customers daily.
The regular police presence will allow deputies to build positive relationships with local adults and with high school, middle school and elementary school students who patronize the stores, and serve as a deterrent to crime.
Dominic Caviston, who operates the Edgewood store, said the substations also will give deputies places to go in bad weather where they can still meet with the public.
A brief ceremony to open the community substations is set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Mr. Hefner's store, 2400 Pleasantville Road and Route 152 in Fallston.
The other substations will be at 423 Edgewood Road, Edgewood; 1752 Jarrettsville Road, Jarrettsville; and 3000 Abingdon Road, Abingdon.