Business owners in Towson are calling for a crackdown on large crowds that have been causing chaos in the area, particularly on Thursday nights.

Bill Packo, owner of Barley’s Backyard Restaurant, said, “Around 11, there were probably about 2,000 people.” He noted that the issue has persisted for about a year, with huge crowds lingering outside businesses along York Road.

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Surveillance cameras captured a large crowd last week, and incidents of trouble have been reported. “Two weeks ago, a county police officer was assaulted. Last Thursday, and that was a Thursday, a police officer was hit by a dirt bike rider who was arrested and in possession of a handgun,” said Packo.

Packo also described the scene outside his business, saying, “I was out there around midnight last week and I would say there were approximately four to six cars dispensing alcohol drinks out of the back of their car.”

The situation has drawn the attention of Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, who attended a meeting with Towson business owners and county leaders, including Police Chief Robert McCullough, to discuss the issue. Packo, who was present at the meeting, said, “She’s trying. She stayed for five minutes,” but noted that her staff remained to hear concerns.

Baltimore County Council Chair Mike Ertel acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating, “From a crowd control standpoint, yeah, it’s an issue.” He assured that there would be follow-up meetings to address the concerns, emphasizing, “We’re not going to tolerate bad behavior.”

Packo expressed his frustration, saying, “I firmly believe that it’s going to take someone to be shot here to be able to have local officials really crack down on the people who are not observing the crowd control rules.”