The number of homicides being committed in Baltimore City is causing angst for new Mayor Sheila Dixon.
To curb community complaints, Dixon called for a series of communitymeetings this week at Baltimore City Hall. Dixon, who was City Council president, became mayor in January after Martin O’Malley took the oath as Maryland’s governor.
The meetings, which began Monday and continue through Thursday, will include “frank discussions” with wide range of community leaders, including presidents of community associations, pastors, youth leaders, and teachers said Dixon spokesman Anthony McCarthy.
Police spokesman Matt Jablow said Police Commission Leonard Hamm was expected to attend the meetings.
“There is a great deal of talk about crime being down in Baltimore,” McCarthy said. “However when the mayor travels throughout the city and meets with citizens, it?s clear that many neighborhoods are facing ongoing issues around violence, illegal guns and drug and gang activity.”
McCarthy said the key to the meetings was to explain in detail the mayor?s new policing strategy to as many people as possible.
“In order for community policing to work, there must be community buy-in and it has to be wide spread buy-in,” he said.
Violence though, has been unrelenting in 2007 in Baltimore City. Since Jan. 1, the city has suffered a rash of homicides – with 61 people killed as of Monday, eight more than at the same time last year. At one point in January, 24 people were killed in as many days.
Recently, the arrest of 7-year-old Gerard Mungo Jr. for allegedly riding a dirt bike on a sidewalk has brought international attention to the city?s controversial arrest policies, prompting Dixon to issue an apology to the boy?s parents.
State Delegate Jill Cater, who is campaigning for mayor, said her constituents have seen little change in policing in the city.
“I really haven?t seen any substantive change in police policies, including people I talked to in the community,” she said. “I think we?re all waiting for details on what this new plan is,” she said.
City Councilman Jack Young said he thought the mayor was on the right track.
“People are very concerned about the escalating (homicide) rate,” he said. “But they don?t trust the police either, so we have to work from the ground-up and be proactive, not reactive.
“I think this is a step in the right direction,” he said.
Crime summit meetings
Mayor Shelia Dixon will host a series of meetings to address the city?s rising crime rate. All meetings will be held at Baltimore City Hall in the Curran Room. The mayor will meet:
Tuesday, 4-6 p.m. with youth leaders.
Wednesday, 4-6 p.m. with educators.
Thursday, 4-6 p.m. with faith community leaders.
