WALDORF, Md. — In the spirit of the holiday season, one Charles County woman has extended warmth and cheer to the sheriff’s officers in her community. Natonya Thomas, the general manager of Shops at Waldorf Center and vice chair of the Charles County Chamber of Commerce, has extended an open invitation to officers of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) to enjoy complimentary warm beverages and snacks at her shopping center.
On Nov. 23, Thomas learned that CCSO had sent officers to patrol retail spaces like Shops at Waldorf Center. One of her private security staff had seen CCSO officers posted at Waldorf Center after business hours.
“After the guard approached to make sure all was okay, the officers let him know what the sheriff’s office was doing,” Thomas said. “That’s huge for us at the shopping center. We are always concerned with making sure our shoppers and the people who work at our retailers are safe. It’s a big deal to me and something we all must work together on. Once the guard let me know why the officers were there, I came back up to the shopping center to personally thank them myself and offer them coffee, hot cocoa, or snacks while on their shift. I asked the officers on duty that night to let all of the other officers know they could come into our office for some at any time.”
“For decades, we have initiated holiday patrols as a way to enhance safety,” said Diane Richardson, CCSO’s media relations specialist. “Officers and command staff—regularly assigned to other components of the agency—assist our patrol operations by patrolling shopping centers, strip malls, community centers, and high-traffic areas. We also ride through neighborhoods to help prevent package thefts. The presence of officers in shopping centers has largely had a positive effect. Shoppers and employees are always kind, and some shops do offer coffee or hot chocolate.”
Richardson thanked the community for their continued support and encouraged citizens to stay aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
“Together, we can keep our neighborhoods safe and ensure that this holiday season is enjoyable,” Richardson said.
Thomas published her invitation on Facebook on Nov. 30. She says that since the sheriff’s officers are serving the community, it’s only right to extend a little hospitality in return.
“I am sure with the additional hours being given to officers to work the local shopping centers, there will be long days and nights,” she said. “My goal is just to offer help, even if just through a cup of coffee.”
Thomas said that while there aren’t usually many security issues at her retail property, her tenants feel safer with CCSO present. She hopes that shoppers feel better protected too.
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