After a deadly weekend that resulted in the slayings of six more Baltimore City residents, the Dixon administration unveiled a new “public safety” plan aimed at stopping the violence.
Four people were killed on Sunday.
Seizing more guns, targeting the most dangerous criminals and improving community relations were highlighted as keys to the administration?s plan.
“It is important that we recognize crime is a systemic problem,” Mayor Sheila Dixon said Monday. “If we want to have hope, it has to be addressed with a comprehensive public safety plan.”
Dixon also considered improving relations between the community and the police as keys to success.
Police Commissioner Leonard Hamm said focusing on targeted enforcement while reducing the number of arrests was the result of changing conditions on Baltimore streets.
“The streets are now manageable,” he said.
One of the key changes administration officials announced was reviving the Youth Services Division in the police department. Under the program, one youth service officer will be assigned to each of the city?s nine district headquarters.
“They will be responsible for being familiar with all the youth issues in the district,” said Sheryl Goldstein, director of the mayor?s Office of Criminal Justice.
Col. Rick Hite, who will run the division, said he would seek to build community partnerships.
“We?re always looking to add resources and for asking for volunteers,” he said.
Dixon also announced a new regional task force dedicated to seizing guns.
“If we don?t get these guns off the street, there?s not much hope,” she said.
Details on who will participate in the task force will be announced Wednesday, Dixon said.
