From the Aberdeen Police Department:
In a continued effort to address community concerns related to the Amtrak Train Station, the Aberdeen Police Department has been conducting numerous foot patrols and enforcement initiatives to provide more visibility and to engage commuters and travelers who utilize the Aberdeen Amtrak Station.
The location of the Amtrak Station makes it a community crossroads, separating the eastern and central sectors of the City. Ground transportation services operated by the Harford County Government make frequent stops at the station which attract people to Aberdeen from all over the county. Hundreds of people gather at various times of day on the Amtrak property, most particularly in the early morning and evening hours, when commuters are traveling to and from their places of employment.
Recently, the police department has conducted covert operations to identify a group of individuals selling illegal drugs around the pedestrian footbridge that adjoins the property. Those efforts will continue and serve as notice to those engaged in such activity that those behaviors will not be tolerated.
To address stolen property concerns around the station officers conducted a detail to address bicycle thefts. Officers set up a decoy bicycle and arrested two men who attempted to steal the bike. These operations will continue and serve as notice that the Department takes these crimes seriously too.
Quality of life concerns such as public drinking and loitering have been identified as a point of public concern. To address these concerns officers are physically walking foot patrols to engage personally with riders and see firsthand the conditions at the station during their patrol shift. These types of patrol initiatives have led to multiple arrests and criminal citations issued to those in violation of laws.
The following is a collection of statistics documenting calls for service that have occurred at the Amtrak Train Station over the past 12 months:
– Patrol Checks Conducted– 1,272
– Vandalism Reported – 3
– Thefts Reported – 11
– Trespassing Reported – 7
– Disorderly Conduct Reported – 8
– Suspicious Circumstances Reported – 46
– Illegal Drug Violations – 5
– Fugitive Arrests – 6
The Aberdeen Police Department is committed to providing a continued police presence and dedicated enforcement at the Amtrak Station. If you encounter conditions at the Aberdeen Amtrak Station that cause immediate concern please contact the Aberdeen Police Department at 410-272-2121. Your input and observations will continue to enhance the overall effectiveness of the APD and its mission to promote public safety for all who live or visit our city.
The Aberdeen station is by far the worst station I have ever seen or used. It is stunning with the development we have had in this county that we do not have a decent station. To get to the northbound track you have to walk under the tunnel which takes your breath away with the asphyxiating stench of urine.
I applaud the police for beginning a presence there. Long overdue.
There is a small parking lot on the north-bound side but it’s not easy to find. You have to go over that elevated roadway and turn left at the first intersection. After that, it’s hit-or-miss navigation. I hate going there; the whole area is bad. You always have to be on guard when you pick up or drop off at that station, cell phone tuned to 911.
Yes, that lot would be much more convenient but my worry is that I would find my vehicle on 4 cinder blocks upon my return. Its great if you are dropping off.
The lot on the north-bound site is small, a row of about ten spaces facing the fence, maybe twenty feet from the track. When picking up, I sit in the car until the train arrives.
When family visiting from out of state use The Aberdeen station, it is their first impression of Harford County. Every time I have met my family or brought them back to the station for their trip home, I am constantly surveying the premises and beyond for potential threats. It’s not a good feeling. I’m happy to see The Aberdeen Police department stepping up their patrols and the outcome their presence has had.
After all these years of theft,vandalism,drugs,and robberies,why now? What a joke… nothing is ever going to change at that station.
Glass is half empty?
No, you’re wrong. All the people “chilling” by the pedestrian bridge all hours of the day will just find some other place in the ‘Deen to stand around smiling.
Plenty of empty business along the immediate Route 40 area in Aberdeen to do just that.
By the way, shouldn’t Amtrak Police get credit? I don’t know how far “off property” they can do any “enforcement” as far as everyone who is standing around smiling all day, but they clearly have the ability to do the Police thing on anything that is Amtrak property.
I’m sure they do, but it seems the credit is given to Aberdeen PD in the article.
Really though, I can remember as far back as 10 years ago people standing around and smiling nearby the station.
Besides criminal activity, I suppose it’s not illegal to stand around and smile.
Err… you do realize that those people are waiting for the bus, right? That’s a bus stop.
Yeah, it’s a bus stop. Some are waiting for a bus, many are just hanging around, smiling, and not riding a bus.
Feel free to observe and report.
Even then, I’m not sure why this is such a big issue for you. People congregate. As long as they’re not breaking the law or loitering on private property, everything is A-OK. This is America, not China.
Hang out at Amtrak and observe and report how many Amtrak Police you see ever come by the station. In the interest of time I’ll help out and tell you that you won’t see one because they don’t patrol it.
I’ve seen Amtrak Police in Aberdeen.
Well,I don’t think its a big issue personally for me. it’s obvious a big issue to someone else, as we’re commenting on a news article about Aberdeen’s Police doing proactive policing in the general area of the Amtrak station.
Perhaps the amount of scoff law violations being reported, theft and assaults in the general vicinity is considered suspicious behavour when a bunch of people are standing around the same area, smiling.
Are you bloody serious? So much crime the Police do nothing the bunch of idiots! Police then make a concerted effort and you call them a joke? I am going to guess that you do not utilize your nose to intake oxygen. That will never change.
All of Aberdeen needs more foot patrols.
Gee,you mean the cops can’t see any crime while sitting in their cars with the windows rolled up at the Dunkin Donut parking lot? What a surprise.
Good one! Cops hanging out at Dunkin Donuts…I can’t stop laughing at the thought of it. Your parents must be proud of your amazing ability to generate original thoughts instead of regurgitating a stale played out attempt to be funny.
Haha, that’s why their eyes are always “glazed over. Oh my.
What ever happened to that idiot mayor who walked the streets of Aberdeen especially the “at risk” areas like Washington Street and the whole east side ?