Crime & Safety

Catonsville Community Reacts to Bomb Plot Thwarted by Authorities

FBI surveillance may have been spotted on Frederick Road.

Catonsville residents said Thursday they were shocked and frightened when they found out about the thwarted bomb plot at the Armed Forces Career Center on Baltimore National Pike.

Sherry Welch, who lives and works in Catonsville, said she was grateful that no one was hurt, but also worried the incident may increase tensions between religious groups.

"I was also a little shocked that this occurred so close to my home, and struck by the irony of our tranquil community once again being the site of a religious protest."

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She also reflected on the last time a recruiting center was targeted in Catonsville. "For those of us who opposed the Vietnam War and identified with the Catonsville Nine, we have to take a hard look at our rationalizations," she said.

Dorothy Noble, president of the Old Catonsville Neighborhood Association, sent out a message on the group's listserve on Wednesday evening.

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"I saw the news on CNN and at first I was shocked.  Then, I thought if it was significant enough to make the national news headlines, then local people should know about it." 

For Noble, the connections were more recent.

"It brings back memories of the Beltway sniper days when Arbutus Middle School was targeted.  It makes you feel vulnerable," she said.

Joy Generoso, who lives in Westgate, said her husband told her the news while she was doing homework with the children last night. 

"It was shocking; it felt so close to home.  I live close to there. I'm glad the FBI are doing their job."

Alan Smith, a Catonsville resident, said he didn't feel less safe after the incident.

"It looked like the FBI really recruited that guy," he said.

Catonsville resident Mary Frey said events like Wednesday's incident have made her feel less safe than she used to.

"I'm scared for my kids too, and my grandchildren," she said.

While the incident happened on Baltimore National Pike, several shop owners on nearby Frederick Road had been watching what appeared to be surveillance at a construction site over the past few months, perhaps indicating a connection.

Charging documents state that Martinez worked in construction in the area.

For hours at a time, a black SUV with tinted windows would be parked nearby the construction company, Nick Anthony, owner of Anthony's Guitar Repair, said.

"I had wondered why they were doing surveillance," he said.


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