To many of its residents, Brookside Drive seems more dangerous than crime-ridden sections of Baltimore.
Now, Harford Sheriff Jesse Bane is borrowing a few tactics from the city to cut down on crime: seizing guns from felons, imposing zero tolerance for juvenile offenders and seeking security cameras.
Bane spoke to dozens of people who filled the Edgewood Boys and Girls Club Monday night in response to the Aug. 11 shooting death of Samuel David Horne, 26, whose slaying was Harford County?s second for 2007 and the second in that area of Brookside Drive in 13 months. Horne was the fifth murder victim in Edgewood since Jan. 1, 2006.
“We?re starting to hear good people who live in Brookside Drive say that they are ready to move out,” Bane said. “We are not going to let that happen.”
One of the first measures will be “zero tolerance” for a handful of juveniles in the area who have been identified as chronic problems, Bane said. Any offense on their part will be met with charges and arrest.
“For these five or six juveniles who thought that they ran the community, they may have had a free hand for a while, but that day is over,” he said.
State?s Attorney Joseph Cassilly said he would work with the sheriff?s office to prosecute felons found with guns, though that initiative drew some concern from Samuel?s sister Desiree Horne. She felt there were some “good guys” in the community who carried guns as protection against gang members and other criminals.
“How do you tell these young teens they?ll be safe? How do you get them to call the police?” she said.
Cassilly, Bane, and County Executive David Craig said they would find ways to fund police-monitored cameras.
Two additional deputies on foot patrol will be added. The sheriff warned citizens that his deputies would also be stepping up enforcement to cut down on “quality of life” issues such as underage smoking, public drinking and littering, in an effort to clean up the community.
SUSPECTS IDENTIFIED
Police say they have warrants for four of the five men suspected in Horne?s killing:
» Sean Nelson Smith, 28, also known as “Ski,” on charges of first-degree murder
» Nicholas Daron Porter, 27, on charges of conspiracy to commit murder
» Ravon Leonard Watson, 27, on charges of conspiracy to commit murder
» Vance Edwin Major, 28, on charges of first-degree murder.
The men are believed to have fled Harford County for New York, said Capt. Christopher Swaim.
