Driving home COP message that crime is not welcome

The message that Towson Area Citizens on Patrol delivers every day of the year is that "Crime is not welcome in Towson."

Residents walk, drive or bike to watch over their neighborhoods to report anything suspicious to police.

But the message will be unusually loud Tuesday, Aug. 2, during the annual COP National Night Out. The sometimes ear-splitting noise will come from the Towson COP motorcade pushing its way through the area as a show of solidarily.

Beginning at 7 p.m., the line of vehicles from 26 COP units, the county Sheriff's Office, the Baltimore County Police Department and the Providence Volunteer Fire Company will blast through the summer night with lights flashing, horns honking and sirens wailing.

In contrast to TACOP's usual mission, National Night Out "is just plain old fun," said Janice MacGregor Arcieri, who is now the group's secretary and spokesperson."It's the most fun event of the year waving to people and seeing the expression on their faces."

The purpose of National Night Out — which is is celebrated in more than 10,000 communities throughout the United States — "is to make people aware of the need for crime prevention, generate support for anti-crime programs and strengthen neighborhood spirit," according to COP. The event is sponsored by Target and by the National Association of Town Watch.

Residents can show their support by turning their porch and outdoor lights on, walking their neighborhood streets or by honking or waving as the procession goes by.

Incorporating its mission

On July 12, TACOP became TACOP Inc., Arcieri said. The group now has a board and officers.

"I think this group has a fantastic vision," said the new president, Mike Calwell of Rodgers Forge. "They've done a whole lot of good for Towson."

Bonnie Klima of Knollwood-Donnybrook is treasurer and Pat France, who formerly co-chaired TACOP with Arcieri, is now its vice president.

Incorporation was necessary, Arcieri said, for fundraising and to address liability issues.

"We had been struggling to raise money to purchase signs and lights and other equipment for fledging COP units," she said. "This will enable us to seek grants and other funding."

The TACOP network covers Aigburth Manor, Aigburth Vale Mansion Senior Community, Anneslie, Burkleigh Square, Campus Hills, Donnybrook Apartments, East Towson, Fellowship Forest, Glendale/Glenmont, Greenbrier, Hillendale, Hillendale Improvement Association, Idlewylde, Knettishall, Knollwood/Donnybrook, Loch Raven Heights, Loch Raven Village, Olde Hillendale, Overbrook, Ridgeleigh Community, Ridgely Condomium Association, Rodgers Forge, Stoneleigh, Towson Manor Village, West Towson and Wiltondale.

Call 410-828-5564 for information on joining.

This year the participating TACOP members in the motorcade Aug. 2 have gone an extra mile. They've been collecting toiletries for the homeless, and will donate them to the county Department of Social Services.

"It's the extra that people do that turn the ordinary into the extraordinary," said Arcieri. "Together COP organizations are making Towson a safer place to live, work and visit."