Is Shetland Square safe?
Glen Burnie, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Shetland Square as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Shetland Square
“Go with care. Shetland Square is a quiet residential townhome enclave that is generally safe for residents and visitors during the day. Basic situational awareness is advised at night, particularly regarding vehicle security in shared parking areas.”
Recent local police activity in northern Anne Arundel County primarily centers on recurring vehicle break-ins and property thefts along commercial arterials.
About the area
Shetland Square is a compact, residential townhouse community situated in the suburban fabric of Glen Burnie, Maryland. It features tree-lined internal cul-de-sacs with straightforward access to Anne Arundel County's major commuter corridors and commercial centers. The area is predominantly residential and quiet, catering largely to local families and workforce commuters.
- Suburban Residential
- Townhome Community
- Quiet
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Shetland Square
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 42/100
No public bike-share stations exist here, but the scenic Baltimore & Annapolis (B&A) Trail is easily accessible a short ride to the east.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Quiet and self-contained residential townhome community with minimal thru-traffic
- Low rate of violent crime within the immediate residential enclave
- Convenient access to major regional corridors including Route 100, I-97, and BWI Airport
- Stable housing occupancy with well-kept private common areas
Cons
- Periodic opportunistic property crime and theft from unlocked vehicles
- Car-dependent setting with poor pedestrian connectivity on surrounding thoroughfares
- No commercial dining or entertainment options directly within the neighborhood boundaries
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable factor inside the residential development, though occasional panhandling is seen along major commercial intersections nearby on Crain Highway.
What Shetland Square is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents heading out for morning commutes and walking dogs under clear daylight.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm residential atmosphere with light delivery traffic and general suburban tranquility.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Generally safe and quiet, though common parking lots can be dim in select corners.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are deserted with minimal movement; keep vehicles locked and maintain routine night awareness.
Transit, parking and getting around
MTA Maryland provides regional bus services via nearby Route 70 along Crain Highway, and the Glen Burnie Cromwell Light Rail Station is approximately a 10-minute drive away.
Parking consists of open and assigned residential surface spaces throughout the community, with generally easy and free parking for visitors.
Things to do in Shetland Square
- Take a quiet walk or jog through the residential loops of the neighborhood
- Visit nearby Sawmill Creek Park for sports fields, tennis courts, and picnic areas
- Ride or walk along the nearby Baltimore & Annapolis (B&A) Trail multi-use greenway
Local favorites
- Ann's Dari-Creme · Ice Cream Shop · 4.6★ (2150)Iconic, long-running walk-up stand famous for classic soft-serve ice cream and footlong chili dogs.
- Primo Pasta Kitchen · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (920)Casual neighborhood Italian spot serving generous portions of homemade pastas, pizzas, and seafood.
- Pappas Restaurant & Sports Bar · Seafood Restaurant · 4.3★ (1450)Popular local staple celebrated for traditional Maryland jumbo lump crab cakes and classic pub fare.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.