Baltimore County residents look for answers, solutions after White Marsh Mall disturbance

Vincent Hill | Fox45 News | March 10, 2026 | Original Source

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — Residents and local leaders gathered at the Perry Hall Family Worship Center Tuesday evening to discuss the disturbance at White Marsh Mall over the weekend, as concerns grow about safety and juvenile crime.

Outside the meeting, residents said they were still processing what happened.

“I was a little bit shocked,” one resident said.

Another said, “To hear of any type of violent activity or crowds happening right now, it is a little bit surprising.”

Police leaders described what happened at the mall, where video that has gone viral shows chaos that police said included a robbery and an assault of a juvenile. Police also said teens attempted to pepper spray officers and there were reports of handguns in the crowd.

One longtime resident said the mall has changed dramatically over the decades.

“I've lived in Perry Hall, White Marsh since 1976 and the mall used to be the place to go on a Friday or Saturday night and it was always packed and people weren't there and had a good time. Now, it seems that people are afraid to go there," he said.

The resident added, “I'd be interested to see what ideas the police have or Councilman Marks has and see what happens.”

Police leaders said they plan to work with mall security, use the department’s information center cameras and drones, coordinate with the MTA for more buses if another “link up” happens, and move rideshare locations, so drivers are not at risk of being caught in the crowd.

County Councilman David Marks said he was frustrated by what happened and suggested the problem extends beyond the immediate area.

“I'm obviously very upset and disappointed this happened,” Marks said. “I mean, part of the issue is that this is not just the Perry Hall White Marsh issue. These kids are coming from Edgewood, from Towson, from Rosedale, other places. And it's going to be, quite, frankly, beyond me to develop those solutions.”

Inside the meeting, residents pressed for what many described as juvenile accountability. Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger addressed questions from residents who want more done when it comes to juveniles.

“I'm concerned,” Shellenberger said. “Sometimes you need that power.”

Shellenberger said many of the crimes from the weekend never made it to his office because they involved juveniles. He warned it could get worse if the Youth Charging Reform Act passes.

“There are crimes in there like some simple robberies and things committed by certain age groups like maybe somebody who's 15 that you know may or may not involve violence that may or not make it into adult court,” he said.

As the debate continues over how to prevent another disturbance like the one at White Marsh Mall, one resident said, “We live in different times now and I don't think there's any one cause. I don't think there's any one solution.”

Still, residents said they want the mall and surrounding area to feel safe again.

“To hopefully get it back to what it once was,” one resident said.

Another resident summed up what many said they expect from leaders moving forward: “People expect to be able to go and dine in safety. They expect to live in safety in this area. They expected to have a comfortable and secure environment.”