Sheridan Discusses Terrorism at WPCRO Meeting

Col. Terrence Sheridan, superintendent of the Maryland State Police, spoke about the state's role in the prevention of domestic terrorism at the monthly meeting of the Wilkens Police Community Relations Organization (WPCRO) Tuesday evening at Maiden Choice School.

Sheridan discussed homeland security and the importance of keeping an eye out and report odd or strange things when we see them. Reporting something that is strange could possibly save the lives of citizens.

He talked about the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, a "fusion center" that provides analytical services to federal, state on federal and local law enforcement agencies.

"The tragedies of September 11 have caused us to work better at all levels," Sheridan says. "We're communicating now better than we ever have."

MCAC was involved in the , accused last year of plotting to bomb an armed forces recruiting station in Catonsville.

Capt. John Spiroff, commander of Precinct 1, told the WPCRO meeting that while crime statistics continue their overall downward trend, there has been a rash of cars being broken into around the area.

"We're seeing thefts from vehicles," he says. "These are predominantly happening in the Catonsville area and down into Arbutus."

Thieves look for iPods, cell phones, laptop computers, GPS devices and other small electronics, Spiroff says.

Leaving your car unlocked is an open invitation to theft. Don't leave gadgets in the car. "Don't give them the opportunity," he says.

Some people are reluctant to call the police if they left their car unlocked. It's still a crime whether a vehicle is locked or not, and Spiroff says that people should still report the incident to police so they can keep track of crime and better deploy law enforcement resources.