[BALTIMORE.CBSLOCAL] Last week the Baltimore police commissioner was fired up at a presser, Wednesday, the mayor responded to those who are lashing out at her. They say she doesn’t take the violence seriously.Mayor Catherine Pugh says every time there’s a shooting or murder, her phone rings, and it couldn’t be more disturbing.
Pugh says they’re moving the hiring process along as fast as they can with officers but the City might not feel the impact until next year.
The department said once officers make it through the academy, they are immediately deployed to foot patrol in various communities, including the Inner Harbor.
"Anyone who thinks that I don’t take this seriously or it’s not something alarming to me, this is the most important thing we can do in this city and that’s to reduce the violence," Pugh said.
Pugh fired back at critics Wednesday who question her leadership as Baltimore is closing in on one of it’s deadliest times ever, hitting 300 plus murders for the third year in a row.
"I am deeply disturbed about the violence and this is the number one priority of the City," she said.
Vicious, random attacks like Sebastain Dvorak, who was killed in Canton after a night out with friends, to Kia Martin’s daughter, who was beat down at the Inner Harbor.
"They just don’t understand the pain, terror and hurt that they cause," said Martin.
"I’m actually thinking about moving out of the state," one woman said. "That’s how bad it’s got."
Many are calling for a more obvious presence of police in their communities.
"Unless you have more actively involved law enforcement, then I don’t know how this is going to end," Baltimore resident Steve Bono. "We just can’t keep finger pointing, everyone has to take some responsibility."
Mayor Pugh acknowledges the City is battling a shortage of officers, but that close to 200 individuals have already made it through the hiring process.
I've got a really great idea. Shut down the entire Baltimore City Police Department, the jail, and the criminal courts. Then use the money saved to contract with adjoining counties and the state to handle policing.
Why? That way Baltimore City pols won't have to take any responsibility. They can stand around and poke out their lower lips and complain, with no actual solution to offer and none expected. The aggrieved politicians' constituents can listen to complaints about being exploited and keep voting for them forever with a clear conscience. Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, and maybe Harford Counties, and the state can augment their police and courts and get on with the serious business of actually reducing crime.
The counties have much lower crime rates and (no disrespect intended to BC policemen) higher hiring standard for their officers. They also pay better, with better benefits. Not being beholden to Heronner Da Mare Madame Pugh and the well-entrenched city council, they'll actually be able to do things up to county and state standards. In the event of festivities, it would take three or four county execs and the governor to agree to let the feral youths have a spot to destroy. Perhaps five years from now Baltimore citizens will even be able to enjoy Patterson Park on summer evenings and expect to get home alive and with their money.