Baltimore County Police Implements Increased Safety Efforts For Holiday Season

By FOX45
Posted on 11/27/25 | News Source: FOX45

Baltimore, MD - Nov. 27, 2025 - The Baltimore County Police Department is implementing increased safety efforts for the holiday season, the department announced Wednesday ahead of Thanksgiving.

Shoppers can expect a high-visibility police presence in retail areas as part of BCoPD's annual Holiday Deployment Initiative.

The initiative aims to deter crime, support local businesses and provide reassurance to residents and visitors.

“This initiative allows the Department to strategically place resources where they are needed most during the holiday season,” Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough said, via a press release.

We want to ensure residents and visitors feel safe as they go about enjoying this special time of the year.”

"Our police officers work tirelessly to ensure families can shop, travel, and celebrate safely. We’re grateful for their dedication, and we encourage everyone to stay alert and look out for one another. When we each take steps to stay safe, we help make the season brighter for everyone," Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said, via a press release.

Baltimore County police offers the following safety tips for the holiday season:

While Shopping:

• Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions like texting while walking.
• Park in well-lit areas and lock your vehicle.
• Keep packages, valuables and electronics out of sight.
• Carry only what you need. Leave extra credit cards or large sums of cash at home.
• Avoid distractions when sitting in your vehicle, especially in parking lots.

At Home:

• If traveling, avoid posting vacation photos on social media.
• Ensure all doors and windows are locked.
• Fill out a vacant house form at your local precinct or online.
• Consider using automatic timers for your lights.
• Track deliveries and use delivery lockers when possible.
• Don't display gifts where they can be seen from outside.

On the Road:

• Allow extra time for travel and pack plenty of patience.
• Do not drink and drive.
• Watch for pedestrians in shopping areas and crosswalks.
• Avoid drowsy driving, and get a good night's sleep before departing.
• Avoid distractions while driving; stay focused on the road.
• Keep a safe following distance in heavy traffic.

Authorities also recommend people conduct in-person transactions at one of the department's 10 "Transaction Safe Zones" to ensure the safety of the buyer and seller.