Towson residents recently honored university Chief of Police Bernie Gerst at the Citizens on Patrol rally against crime.
Held June 20 on the 6800 block of York road, the rally recognized individuals who have helped reduce crime in the Towson community. Baltimore County Police Department Officer Kristy Fuka and Citizens on Patrol members Janice Arcieri and Matt Parlakian presented Gerst with an award for vital service in the Towson community and continuing support of the Towson area.
Gerst became Chief of Police at Towson University in 2001 after retiring as Colonel from the Baltimore County Police Department. His 22 years of service for the county allowed Gerst to foster a great working relationship between the two departments.
?Members of our department work in unison with members of the county department,? Gerst said. ?We are plugged in to necessary information links with the county, ranging from post car alerts to crime bulletins, crime analysis information, and weekly reports from the precinct.?
This partnership, along with Gerst?s close relationship with local community associations?he frequently attends meetings held by the Greater Towson Council of Community Associations?has resulted in a comprehensive approach to policing at the university. It seems this approach has paid off.
Though Gerst is quick to eschew credit for crime reduction, his tenure at the university has been marked by low crime rates. The years 2005 and 2006 saw the fewest number of part I crimes at the university in over a decade, and the department boasts the lowest percentage of part I crimes per 1000 students in the university system of Maryland.
During his time at the university, Gerst has automated crime tracking and championed the creation of emergency response plans. Under his direction the university unveiled its campus emergency notification system this spring, in which students, faculty and staff members can sign up to receive text message alerts when emergency situations occur on campus. To date, nearly 3000 people have signed up to receive the alerts.
In addition to Gerst, two other individuals were honored at the Citizens on Patrol rally, which hosted a live band, children?s activities, and remarks from Baltimore County Chief of Police Jim Johnson.
For more information on the Towson University Police Department, go to { http://wwwnew.towson.edu/adminfinance/facilities/police/}
