Crofton Online: Yard Sales
A.A. County Police Raid Yard Sales
Police Say Sales On County Property Illegal

Anne Arundel County police recently raided yard sales being held on county property along Riedel Road in Crofton Meadows, saying that local residents were trespassing on country property.


Crofton Online interviewed the policemen as they told area residents to "pack it up" or face fines of up to $500. The policemen were friendly and cooperative once they were assured that they would not be identified by name. "We prefer to work incognito," one of the officers told us.

The county's finest told us that the county property is posted "No Trespassing" and that in order to be legal, each individual selling items would have to obtain a separate permit, which costs $25 per day. They acknowledged that this would not be feasible.

"Look. I saw several items that I wanted to buy, but under the circumstances, I couldn't," one of the officers told us. They appeared apologetic, saying that they were acting on a complaint. "We ignore it unless someone complains, but if someone does complain, we are obligated to enforce the law."


"No one has been fined yet," we were told, "but that might change if people keep coming." Just about every Saturday morning, when the weather is nice, dozens of area residents set up tables and sell items. The event has become something of a social gathering as well.

The officers told us that no permit is required if the yard sales are set up on private property, and they suggested that we try to find someone willing to allow the apparently spontaneous Saturday morning event. When we suggested that the sales be moved up Riedel Road to in front of the townhouses, they told us that that property is owned by one of the homeowners associations. They believe the homeowners association is one of the groups that has been complaining about the sales.


We frequent the yard sales on Riedel Road and find them an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday morning. We wonder why the county has posted the property, which after all, is owned by the taxpayers, as "No Trespassing." Perhaps some of the candidates for local office would care to comment.

In the meantime, we have contacted Community United Methodist Church, which is right across the street, about the possibility of holding the spontaneous yard sales there. We were told that the church might be willing to make its parking lot available at no charge for such a community activity.


Crofton Online is preparing a proposal to the Church that asks for Saturday morning access to their parking lot. We will keep you informed. Stay tuned.


For a listing of this week's advertised yard sales, click here.


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