Deputies on bike patrols have made increasing appearances in the Edgewood area and some members of community attribute a perceived lack of crime to their presence.
At Wednesday's Edgewood Community Council meeting, Capt. Christopher Swain, of the Harford County Sheriff's Office, said there had been fewer bike patrols in the area because the bicycle hitches on the back of patrol cars were not safe. The issue has been resolved and Swain said deputies are coming to the area dressed to ride and taking the opportunity to get out of their cars and pedal through Edgewood's neighborhoods.
"I get nothing but good feedback when the guys are out on bikes," Swain said.
Swain said he hopes people at the meeting think the bike patrols are a positive thing and that people feel good about the police presence in the area.
Mildred Samy, an activist in the Edgewood community, asked Swain how the kids have been responding and said she imagines it would be a good thing and an opportunity for young people to see police are not the enemy.
Several other attendees commented on how quiet the area has been in recent weeks.
"I honestly believe it's because of the bicycle officers," Stephen Puopolo said. "I would like to commend the sheriff's office for that."
Jansen Robinson, chair of the council, also complimented the sheriff's office.
"You guys are doing a good job, just keep it up," Robinson said.
Council members also discussed a livability code they hope could give neighborhood residents a legislative leg to stand on when landlords neglect rental properties.
County Councilman Dion Guthrie said the Harford County code has not been touched in years and a few years ago, when he asked his staff to make a draft of a livability code bill, news of the draft caused outcry among members of the real estate community.
"I think it's a win-win for everybody," Guthrie said.
Guthrie said a committee involving people from the Edgewood council, the housing department and others will begin examining and rewriting the code starting in mid-September.