Community engagement meeting held at Essex Senior Center

Last week, officials from the Baltimore County Police Department met with local residents to discuss the proposed renovation and expansion of the Essex Police Precinct.

The new building construction and its potential impact on the community were other points of emphasis during the hour-long forum on April 18 at the Essex Senior Center. Capt. Joe Peach, commander of Precinct 11 (Essex), was in attendance along with BCPD Chief Robert McCullough.

According to BCPD Spokeswoman Joy Stewart, there will be a 17,650 square foot addition to the existing Essex Precinct building as the original 16,150 square-foot building will also undergo a major renovation.

Upon completion, the new and remodeled Essex Precinct will be 33,800 square feet, and will include a community meeting area with seating for approximately 40 people, Stewart told The Avenue, adding that the construction project will commence in two phases.

The addition to the existing building to launch the first phase. The new facility’s design will be completed in March 2025 before the county puts “the project out for public bid,” Stewart accentuated.

Groundbreaking is expected to begin September 2025 with an estimated completion in September 2027, she said.

One of the noteworthy concerns raised by community members at the meeting was whether the new precinct building will have a community outreach office. In response, county leaders assured the attendees that all of the functions currently offsite at Stemmers Community Building will be incorporated into the facility.

Part of the proposed renovation includes a new addition that will include a community meeting room that can seat 40.

“This state of the art precinct will help improve efficiency for the police officers and bring all the staff to one hub in order to continue to provide high quality service to the community,” Stewart said.