Howard County Gets Tactical at Hilltop

If you drove past the Hilltop housing complex late this morning, you might have thought something big was going down.

At the northern intersection of Ellicott Mills Drive and Mt. Ida Drive, men in fatigues, helmets and bulletproof protection were milling about, carrying guns and shields.

The residents in that area of the housing complex have all been relocated, however, in advance of a redevelopment project. So what’s going on?

“Tactical training,” said Howard County Police Sgt. Jason Baker.  

During one exercise, a group of about a dozen men slowly approached an apartment. The first ran in, and then about ten men followed with guns drawn. From inside came a faint “pop-pop-pop.” Someone shouted directions -- “Basement!” --While two men stood outside of the front door.

The tactical team was training with “simunition,” or simulated ammunition, according to Howard County Police spokeswoman Elizabeth Schroen, and working on making breached entries. 

In advance of training, the police communications center is notified in case of 911 calls and, Schroen said, police knock on doors nearby to let neighbors know what’s going on. 

Baker wouldn't say much more about the exercises, and wouldn't agree to any additional photos -- he didn't want to give away the group's methods.

But here's one group shot of the unit before it gets to work.