Bel Air Police Department

10/30/2026

10/30/2026

For awareness.

10/29/2026

County Executive Bob Cassilly today presented proclamations to representatives from Emergency Services, the Harford County Fire & EMS Association and local law enforcement agencies in recognition of National First Responders Day 2026.

"Honoring those who jump into action when emergencies arise and the everyday heroes who risk their lives to keep others safe. Harford County thanks you for your commitment and devotion to our citizens."

10/28/2026

Being a First Responder means dedicating your life to protecting the lives of your community and being ready to answer the call whenever and wherever you're needed. You’re often the first person someone sees on what may be the worst day of their life, and the one they look to for help and reassurance, even on the hardest days of your own.

Today, on National First Responders Appreciation Day, we want to recognize and thank the men and women who dedicate themselves to serving citizens across the United States. We thank you for all for the work that you do to keep Harford County safe!

Harford County Department of Emergency Services Bel Air Police Department Aberdeen Police Department Harford County Md Fire & EMS PIO Media Page Havre de Grace Police Department Maryland State Police, Bel Air Barrack Maryland Transportation Authority Police

10/28/2026

In October, the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners celebrated the promotions of two key members of the Bel Air Police Department command staff: 1st Sgt. James Farrell and Detective Sgt. Henry Marchesani.
Farrell has been with the BAPD since 1998, when he was hired as a patrol officer. He has risen through the ranks to his current position as a senior non-commissioned officer on the department’s command staff.
As first sergeant, he is responsible for managing daily police patrol operations, supervising the sergeants who supervise the officers on their shifts, ensuring compliance with departmental policies and many other duties.
“James is a cop’s cop,” Mayor Paula Etting said while honoring Farrell’s promotion during a Town Commissioners’ meeting on October 5. “He bleeds Bel air Police Department blue and is a fiercely loyal and dedicated employee.”
Police Chief Charles Moore described the first sergeant as “the fixer of everything in patrol.”
“James has a huge heart, and he does his best to take care of everybody – including his command – and he does the right thing for the community every time,” the chief said. “He’s an awesome cop, an awesome human being.”

Detective Sgt. Marchesani joined the Bel Air Police Department as a patrol officer in 2001. He has been assigned to the department’s Criminal Investigations Division since 2016. The CID handles investigations of homicides and other major crimes.
The detective sergeant, also part of the BAPD command staff, manages all aspects of criminal investigations, supervises detectives, handles reporting and record keeping, monitors criminal intelligence, is involved in crime prevention initiatives, among many other duties.
“Henry is a no-nonsense detective and a criminal supervisor with a diversified skill set,” Mayor Etting said, citing accomplishments such as earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in organizational leadership and graduating from the FBI’s National Academy. The National Academy is a 10-week leadership development program for senior leaders in law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and the world.
“His blend of work ethic and ambition has earned him an outstanding reputation throughout the law enforcement community,” Etting said of Marchesani.
The chief described the detective sergeant as “the professional that walks up to a crime scene when everything else is on fire, figuratively, and they manage to put that out,” by stabilizing the scene, putting patrol officers at ease and bringing the investigation of a major incident to a successful conclusion.
“There is nobody that I trust more to accomplish that mission than Henry Marchesani,” Moore said.

He added that having Farrell and Marchesani on the command staff has “brought a lot of relief to me" as the Department’s leader.
“There’s no challenge that we can’t overcome with the team that we have in here,” he said.

10/25/2026

What a busy Halloween weekend in Bel Air!

We kicked things off Friday evening at UM Upper Chesapeake Health's Trunk or Treat event, followed by another great day of Halloween fun in Downtown Bel Air on Saturday!

We want to thank UM Upper Chesapeake Health for hosting Friday's event, along with all the first responders, local organizations, and volunteers who helped make it such a great evening.

Most importantly, thank you to all the families who came out! We enjoyed seeing everyone's costumes and spending time with our community.

It was a great weekend, and we're already looking forward to next year!

Here are some photos and video from Friday night's event at UM Upper Chesapeake Health. Enjoy!

10/25/2026

Another stunning day for trick or treating on Main Street. We want to thank everyone for attending and showing off their incredible costume creativity. We’re beginning to think that some of these ghouls, ghost, and goblin visitors might be real 😳. We also want to thank our local businesses and the Bel Air Downtown Alliance for their support and for making this a wonderful family event, year after year! Happy Halloween everyone 👹🤡☠️🎃!!

10/20/2026

👻🍬 THIS WEEK 🍬👻 Trick or Treating in Downtown Bel Air brought to you by Hall's Septic Services! From 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 24, kids dressed in costumes can get free candy from downtown's businesses - participating locations will have a poster in their storefront! Families are free to start anywhere on the route - a full list of businesses and more information can be found online at https://downtownbelair.com/events/trick-or-treating-in-downtown/.

10/14/2026

Get ready for a spooktacular evening!

The Bel Air Police Department is excited to join UM Upper Chesapeake Health for its Trunk or Treat event on Friday, October 23!

We'll have our police vehicles decorated and plenty of candy ready for trick-or-treaters. Stop by, say hello to our officers and staff, check out the vehicles, and enjoy a fun evening with local first responders and community partners.

Event Details:
Date: Friday, October 23
Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Location: UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center
500 Upper Chesapeake Drive, Bel Air
Westgate Parking Lot

Costumes are encouraged, and families are welcome!

For more information and to register, visit: https://bit.ly/uchtreats

Want a sneak peek at the fun? Check out the comments for a look back at last year's Trunk or Treat event!

We hope to see you there!

10/12/2026

UPDATE — October 12, 2026, at 12:55 p.m.

Joann Mary Gran has been located safe and unharmed. Thank you to everyone who shared the alert and assisted in locating her.

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CRITICAL MISSING PERSON: JOANN MARY GRAN

The Bel Air Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating Joann Mary Gran, 77, who has dementia and mobility issues.

Joann left her residence on foot in the 300 block of Canterbury Road in Bel Air at approximately 9:30 a.m. on October 12, 2026.

She is a white female, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and 160 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black-and-white striped shirt and black pants and carrying a gray pocketbook.

Residents in the area are asked to check their yards, sheds, garages, and other places where she may have sought shelter.

If you see Joann or have information about her whereabouts, call 911 immediately. Please report information directly to police rather than through social media comments or messages.