Acting Precinct Commander Reinforces Commitment to Reisterstown

Lt. Stephen Doarnberger, acting commander at the Baltimore County Police Franklin Precinct, told the RIA the police will remain committed to helping Main Street in light of Capt. Matthew McElwee being reassigned.

The acting commander of the police precinct that serves Reisterstown and Owings Mills pledged the department’s continued support despite changes in the command structure. “Our commitment to this group and to your goals has not changed,” Lt. Stephen Doarnberger said to the Reisterstown Improvement Association at Tuesday night’s meeting. Doarnberger, previously assistant commander, is acting precinct captain after Capt. Matthew McElwee was reassigned Monday. McElwee was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on Saturday in Carroll County, according to police. He was assigned to administrative duties at the police department’s operation bureau, police announced Monday. The Franklin police precinct has been working with the RIA …

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County Will Brighten Main Street Light Fixtures

A Baltimore County engineer told the Reisterstown Improvement Association that he can help brighten Main Street lampposts.

In its continuing effort to revitalize Main Street, the Reisterstown Improvement Association has taken to the lampposts, which the group feels aren’t bright enough at night. Baltimore County engineer Greg Carski spoke at Tuesday night’s RIA meeting, and told the group he could switch out the lenses in four or five lampposts of their choice. The lens is the outer layer of the lamppost. Carski said the county could change out the lampposts in the coming weeks, and he’d see how the RIA likes the new lenses to determine future action.

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Main Street Committee Making Progress

Subcommittees have been formed to help move historic Reisterstown towards Main Street Maryland status.

Local residents looking to put Reisterstown’s Main Street on the map have formed various committees and are planning public meetings to get more community members involved. As they work towards Main Street Maryland status, the group has formed the five committees required by the state: organization, design, promotion, economic restructuring and clean, safe and green. “We’re moving along,” said Amy Mantay, western sector coordinator at the Baltimore County Department of Planning. She will act as a part-time Main Street manager for two years to help Reisterstown earn its Main Street designation. To receive the title, the Main Street committee must meet several requirements, including having a program manager for at least three years, having …

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Residents Trying to Restore Historic Reisterstown Cemetery

Members of the Reisterstown Improvement Association are working to restore the cemetery on Cockeys Mill Road, which was built in the 1700s.

As the Reisterstown Improvement Association continues its effort to revitalize Main Street, several of its members are also working to preserve the town’s past. “It’s a very interesting little cemetery,” said Kim Drapkin, an RIA member working to raise funds for the Reisterstown Community Cemetery’s restoration. The town’s founder, John Reister, and soliders from the Revolutionary War, Civil War and War of 1812 are buried in the cemetery on Cockeys Mill Road. “The community of Reisterstown actually owns the cemetery, not the church. John Reister deeded it to the community and it has remained that way ever since,” Drapkin said. “Every single person that lives here, we all have a stake in the cemetery.” Read Linda Percy’s guest column to …

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Police Captain Discusses Community Partnership, Crime Trends

Capt. Matthew McElwee, commander of the Baltimore County Police’s Franklin Precinct, spoke at the Reisterstown Improvement Association’s meeting Tuesday night.

As Main Street activists work to revitalize Reisterstown’s historic commercial district, the local police precinct is pledging its support. Capt. Matthew McElwee, who spoke at Tuesday night’s Reisterstown Improvement Association meeting, has assigned community outreach Officer Rod Willis to keep tabs on Main Street developments and attend meetings. The captain also plans to attend Monday morning Main Street meetings when he is available. McElwee, commander of Baltimore County Police’s Franklin Precinct, spoke about how the precinct and its statistics have changed since he took over in Jan. 2010. “We had seen an uptick in commercial activity as far as robberies, first-degree burglaries,” McElwee said of the years before his takeover. “…

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Police Captain Speaks at RIA Meeting Tuesday

Capt. Matthew McElwee, commander of the Baltimore County Police’s Franklin Precinct, will speak at Tuesday night’s Reisterstown Improvement Association meeting.

The captain of the police precinct that covers Reisterstown and Owings Mills will speak at Tuesday night’s Reisterstown Improvement Association meeting. Capt. Matthew McElwee, commander of the Baltimore County Police’s Franklin Precinct, will speak at the meeting, which is open to the public and starts at 7 p.m. The meeting is at Long & Foster at 321 Main Street in Reisterstown. McElwee spoke at Monday morning’s Main Street meeting at Reter’s Crab House. He discussed crime and speeding, according to Calvin Reter, a member of the RIA's board of directors.

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Second Main Street Directory Installed

A second Main Street business directory was installed in front of the building next to Reisterstown Methodist Church.

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Photo: Main Street Map Display at The Cow

A Main Street map that features local businesses is installed in a displayed in front of The Cow on Main Street.

Keeping with its mission to beautify and revitalize Reisterstown's Main Street, the Reisterstown Improvement Association had a Main Street business map and directory installed in front of The Cow. The RIA also oversaw the installation of three new benches and trash cans in recent weeks. Another podium for a Main Street business directory will be installed in a location that has yet to be determined.

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PHOTOS: Main Street Directory Installed at The Cow

The Reisterstown Improvement Association installed a podium with a map of Main Street businesses in front of The Cow.

Main Street looks a little fresher these days thanks to some new benches and a business directory by The Cow. The Reisterstown Improvement Association, keeping with its mission to beautify and revitalize Main Street, oversaw the installation of three new benches and trash cans and a Main Street business directory last week. Another podium for a Main Street business directory will be installed in a location that has yet to be determined.

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