Rachel Morin investigation: Harford County plans camera network along popular Bel Air trail
BEL AIR - Harford County's executive promises to add cameras to the popular Bel Air trail where authorities found the body of 37-year-old Rachel Morin, a mother of five, earlier this month.
County Executive Bob Cassilly told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren they are working with experts who have installed cameras at park facilities in other Maryland counties.
He said it is too early to determine how many cameras will be installed or where they will be placed.
"We are working with BGE and some of the various contractors to get their expertise on how many cameras, where the cameras need to be, types of cameras and the like," Cassilly said. "I'm not willing to hazard a guess as to how many cameras we need to provide the level of coverage or where those cameras need to be placed. We defer to the experts who do this stuff for a living."
Cassilly said he hopes to have the cameras up as quickly as possible.
"It's got to be done right," Cassilly said. "I could throw up some temporary cameras to give a feel-good. This isn't about just making people feel good. This is about providing real security."
The Harford County Sheriff's Office said hundreds of tips have come in for the Morin case. Last week, they added a new email address for tips: RMTIPS@harfordsheriff.org.
Police have not said whether Morin was targeted or the crime was random, and there have been no arrests.
Hellgren asked Cassilly his message to the Morin family. "What can you say to a family who has gone through this kind of suffering? We're bringing in the full weight of the law to bring justice. I have confidence the sheriff's office will effectively investigate this.
The county executive called the homicide "an attack on our entire community." Here is video the Harford County Sheriff's Office released of the suspect in Morin's murder.
WJZ again saw an increased and visible police presence along the Ma & Pa Trail Wednesday.
"We saw guards and police on ATVs and they're working on it. It's hard, but they're working on it," said Judy, who declined to give her last name. She frequently walks the trail with her husband and dogs. "I totally think they need to put cameras here. Hopefully, they'll do it on all the trails."
Tim Preston was walking the trail Wednesday with his wife. It is lined with pictures of Morin placed there by her loved ones.
"I think it's so hard for people to believe because Harford County does have such a low crime rate—and people use this trail all the time and never think twice about their safety," Preston said. "It's really unexpected, and it's really an awful tragedy."
Cassilly said there is no firm cost for the camera project as the county is still in the early stages.
He said depending on the cost, it could require approval of the Harford County Council.
"I'm confident the council members would support this. I would be shocked otherwise," Cassilly said.
Morin's sister announced a community walk at the Williams Street entrance to the trail Saturday. She advised people to meet at 11 a.m.
Here is her message to the community:
"We the family of Rachel Morin, would like to invite all men, women and children (if you would like) from the community to join us on Saturday, August 19th for the #RememberingRachelMorin walk.
"Together, as a family and a community, we can grieve the tragic loss of a woman who was so full of life. Please join us as we pray and mourn for our beloved Rachel."
"We are hoping to have a "Trail of Flowers and Light" to line both sides of the trail for our walk on the Ma & Pa Trail. If you are able to, we ask that you bring flowers and a battery-operated candle to lay on either side of the trail somewhere as we walk Rachel's last steps."
"We will meet at 11 am at the Williams Street entrance. Then at 11:30, we will begin walking. We will walk to the end of the first half of the trail (Tollgate Road) and back."
"There will be a very limited amount of t-shirts available at no cost (we will release the business name in a few days). If there are any other businesses that wish to make and donate t-shirts as well, please message me. After the walk, if you want to stop by FLAVOR in Bel Air, they have agreed to donate a portion of all sales that day to the fund for Rachel's children. Thank you."
