Wilde Lake Highlights Security Camera Concerns, Community Police Liaison
The Feb. 3 Wilde Lake Village Board meeting covered a variety of community topics and events, focusing heavily on the discussion surrounding high-definition security cameras in some village center buildings.
Residents speak out on security camera concerns
Erika Chavarria, longtime Wilde Lake resident and executive director of Columbia Community Care, expressed concerns about the installation of high-definition security cameras “in the village center and Slayton House.”
“I have multiple concerns with high-level surveillance on community members, especially my young students and families in the community, and in these times we are living in where we are seeing heightened data collection, said Chavarria. “Surveillance in general is very concerning to me as a former educator of black and brown students who are typically targets of that type of surveillance.”
The matter had previously been discussed in a December 2024 board meeting. Chavarria suggested investing in community relationship building instead, potentially focusing on preventative measures “as opposed to having to put a band-aid on issues that are already happening.”
She asked the Board if they could provide “some sort of just documented explanation of the conversations that were had with the community around this potential decision” to install high-definition security cameras, including details such as who was surveyed, who will have access to the cameras and how often the footage will be reviewed.
The Board asked if Chavarria could elaborate on the potential chilling effects that these cameras could have on community participation in the village center.
“I think the goal of a community is to bring people in and to make people feel welcome,” said Chavarria. “As an educator, when we’re thinking about conversations around the type of policing and surveillance that is used in black and brown communities and the effects that has on one’s feeling of welcomeness here … are we criminalizing folks, or are we looking for ways to bring people into the community and address the needs that are actually existing here?”
Resident Jean Joklik also shared concerns with the Board.
“I’m also concerned about the high definition [cameras] but really, I’m concerned now and curious about the level of transparency on this board,” she said. “In the December meeting minutes, all you recorded was that I had concerns about high def cameras … you said you would hold a public forum. You said you would choose speakers to come to this forum. There’s been no communication about it.”
The December 2 meeting minutes state, “Ms. Joklik expressed her concerns about high-definition cameras installed in the Village Center. Mr. McAliley thanked Ms. Joklik for her advocacy.”
Joklik also expressed frustration over a website glitch that she said had prevented her ability to communicate with the board. All of the Board member email addresses were still accessible on the page and the tech issue is being addressed. Joklik is a former Wilde Lake Village Board member.
Columbia Association Hosting Blood Drive
Community Engagement Manager Robin Stimson briefed the board on the upcoming Columbia Association (CA) events.Stimson spoke on a number of upcoming Howard County community activities, including Black History Month events at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center.
“Columbia Association is also going to be doing our second annual blood drive to give back another way to show our love,” said Stimson. The drive, held in partnership with CareFirst and American Red Cross, will take place on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Supreme Sports Club. Registration information can be found on the American Red Cross website.
Individuals may register in advance or drop in on the day of the drive. Anyone who donates will receive a $15 gift card.
Stimson also highlighted the hiring of Elianah Slotnick, CA’s multicultural program manager, who joined CA in August 2024.“She is an incredible, amazing the honor and privilege of working closely with her,” said Stimson.
CA’s first multicultural program event of the year is the Afro Beats Bash & Blend on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Supreme Sports Club and is free to attend. The event will include dance instruction to popular Afrobeat dances, a raffle and networking opportunities. Register for the event on the CA website.
Introduction of Officer Eric England, Wilde Lake Village Community Liaison
Officer Eric England has been a police officer in Howard County for eight years, working in the area for the majority of his career. He recently switched to the Community Outreach section.“I’m really happy about, really looking forward to the challenges,” he said.
England’s position is different from other community resource officers. He is part of COPS, the Community Outreach and Pathway Section. His work focuses on Wilde Lake and Harpers Farm.
“We’re in charge of the village centers and the quality of life surrounding the village centers,” he said.
England was disappointed that the residents who’d shared concerns over security cameras had left before his presentation, during which he provided additional information on the cameras.
“I’ve met with the property manager and with every business owner in Wilde Lake,” said England. “They’re the ones who put the cameras up in that portion of the village center, which is a private property, private business.” In return, said England, the cameras help them to solve crimes for victims. Private business owners are able to put up security cameras on private property.
“We’re not out there to sit and watch cameras all day,” he said. “The cameras are there to assist the victim, the only way we’re even looking into those cameras is if somebody comes to us and reports a crime.”
England said there have been 68 calls for service in the past month, with the highest call volume for patrol officers on Thursdays. He said the primary calls for service have been for disorderly conduct, mental illness, or suspicious subjects in the area.
Board Chair Kevin McAliley suggested Officer England might reach out to Erika Chavarria and Columbia Community Care to engage with their outreach efforts and build rapport with those the organization serves.
Wilde Lake CARES
Wilde Lake CARES, the grassroots environmental group, is preparing to celebrate its 10-year anniversary in 2025. Chair Bess Caplan said the group is active in planning events to celebrate the occasion with more information to come.
The organization is preparing to release its spring events flyer, with most events taking place on weekends. Wilde Lake CARES will also continue to host their Plant Exchange during Wilde Lake Village election day and Earth Day.
“We ask everybody to come by 11:30 to drop off your donations, whether that’s plants, seeds, pots, garden tools,” said Caplan. “You have to donate something in order to take from the exchange. And we always have extra things that we can donate on someone’s behalf if they want to participate.”
Caplan also asked the Board if they would consider providing funding again this year to support the plants given out on Election Day.
“Last year we had native plants, so anybody that voted in person got to take a plant home with them,” said Caplan. “We were wondering if [the Board] might put in for those plants for Election Day again this year.”
Caplan estimates the cost to be around $550.McAliley said the board would put the item on next month’s meeting agenda for a vote.
“It was very, very exciting to hear all the successes that you and your team have had throughout the year,” said Executive Director and Village Manager Cooper-Kerr. “You guys are doing tremendous work out there in the public realm … You started the mission and you have really grown this to all the different neighborhoods.”
Wilde Lake Elections
Cooper-Kerr briefed the board on several dates for the upcoming Wilde Lake election season.
The season will begin with the Wilde Lake Village Board election on Saturday, April 26 at Slayton House.
Important dates:
- Tuesday, February 11 — nomination period for elections begin. Anyone interested in applying should complete the form available, soon to be available on the Wilde Lake Community Association website.
- Wednesday, March 5 at 5 p.m. — deadline to complete candidate packets. All applications must be emailed or hand-delivered to Slayton House.
- Friday, March 7 — applications will be validated on or before this date by the election committee and co-chairs.
- Thursday, April 3 at 6 p.m. — Candidates Night forum will be held at Slayton House.
- Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Election day at Slayton House.
Upcoming Events
Cooper-Kerr mentioned several upcoming events at Slayton House, including musical and artistic entertainment.
Kyshona will be performing at Slayton House Theatre on Friday, February 28th. The performance, beginning at 7 p.m., is in partnership with the Merriweather Arts and Culture Center and includes a residency where the artist partners with a local school in the week leading up to the concert, said Cooper-Kerr. General admission tickets will be available for $25.
“It’s very exciting, a very fun opportunity for us, as an opportunity for us to provide useful concerts in the team here in the winter season,” she said.Slayton House will also host several art events in 2025, beginning with an exhibit in the Bernice Kish Gallery that showcases installations from five female artists. The exhibit, titled “H-E-R: Art in Five Voices,” will be on display until March 2. Slayton House will then partner with the Blossoms of Hope initiative for a themed art gallery, titled “Blossoms & Beyond: BWS Signature Member Exhibition,” on display from March 5 — April 27.
This article was written by freelance reporter Sarah Sabatke.