The Cockeysville Police & Community Relations Council (PCRC) has been in existence for over twenty-five years. The PCRC formally celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary on October 24, 2007.
The council consisting of members of the business community, residents, and other citizens at large work together in fostering a cohesive relationship between the Police personnel assigned to the Cockeysville Precinct and the public. The PCRC strives to help members understand and learn about how the Police Department operates in performing its core mission of protecting and serving the public at large. The council also helps to provide a direct link to the local command structure allowing for a one on one or face to face contact. This contact has been found to be very helpful in resolving many local issues.
Over the years, the PCRC has acted as a conduit to keep members as well as the public informed of how the Department works and what is involved in the resolution of citizen problems and concerns. This is accomplished by providing speakers at their monthly meetings who explain and highlight the functions of departmental units such as the Crime Lab, Crash Investigation Team, Homicide Unit, Domestic Violence Unit, Precinct Patrol Units, etc.
Also at the meetings, Precinct Command personnel such as the Precinct Commander or Assistant Precinct Commander attend and report on recent crime trends and the action being taken to deal with them. In addition, the meeting attendees are given an opportunity to ask questions about specific problems in their neighborhood. This one aspect goes a long way on fostering enhanced public relations because people are able to speak directly with the officers that will be handling their concerns.
The PCRC was formed on October 23, 1982 by John Meadowcroft. Mr. Meadowcroft, at the time was the president of the Towson Police and Community Relations Council. In forming the Cockeysville PCRC, nine people were originally recruited to be members. These members at this time were concerned about crime and became an additional set of eyes and ears for the police. At their early meetings, members would gather at the home of one of their own. Later on they were invited to hold their meetings at the precinct. When initially formed, the Cockeysville Precinct Commander was Captain Ben Zabkowski. Corporal John Mullendore and Officer Steve Stewart were assigned to guide and support the council.
In the last twenty-five years, Cockeysville's Council has grown to over fifty-five members in 2007. These members representing 30 businesses and community associations. Of the current fifty-five members several have been involved for most of the council's long existence. Some of these long timers still serving are Mr. Ron Praydis, Mr. Paul Lafley, Ms. Madeline Bryant, and Mr. Mark and Mrs. Fran Harris.
Over the years, the PCRC has evolved from a simple "watch group" to become a liaison between the Police Department and the communities at large. They have taken on the role of being goodwill ambassadors promoting the reporting and exchange of information among each other. They have further advanced the goals of continuing their support of "their" Police.
The PCRC provides a forum to enable citizens to meet with the Precinct Commander, his staff, and other precinct personnel. Also at each meeting, a particular unit or function of the department is presented through a guest speaker to assist in learning about the various aspects of law enforcement.
In addition to the Cockeysville Police & Community Relations Council, seven other precincts currently have their own council.
In 2006, long time member and president, Mr. Ron Praydis stepped down being succeeded in office by the current president and director, Ms. Pam Rutledge.
In March, 2008, all eight councils, were incorporated as "The Baltimore County Police and Community Relations Councils, Inc.". At this time they were also granted a 501(c)(3) tax exemption as a non-profit organization. Thus, any donations made to the PCRC would be fully tax deductible.
The Cockeysville Police & Community Relations Council continues its mission of assisting and fostering a very high level of cooperation between the Cockeysville Precinct and the community at large. Members of our business community and residents are invited to attend a meeting and consider joining this very worthwhile organization.
Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Bank of America Building located on McCormick Road just south of Shawan Road in Cockeysville, Maryland 21030. The meetings start at 7p.m. and generally last one-two hours. For further information, please contact Off. Kevin Geiger of the precinct's Community Outreach Unit at 410-887-1863. Off. Geiger may also be contacted by e-mail, kgeiger@baltimorecountymd.gov.
Ms. Pam Rutledge, President and Director made be contacted by e-mail at: prutledge8@comcast.net
Many thanks to the current Director and President, Ms. Pam Rutledge for providing the information presented above.
Revised April 28, 2008
Courthouse 