Frustrated by the lack of progress in the investigation of the murder of former City Councilman Ken Harris, members of the Baltimore City Council spoke out on behalf of other homicide victims during its Monday evening meeting.
Introducing a resolution asking Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld to testify before the council on the status of the investigation into the slaying, Harris’ former colleagues said his case was symbolic of hundreds of other victims whose slayings also remained unsolved.
“I introduced this resolution not only on behalf of Ken Harris,” said City Councilwoman Helen Holton, D-8th District, in her remarks before the council. “I do this on behalf of families of hundreds of other murder victims who wait in abeyance for closure.”
As Harris’ wife, Annette, and daughter, Nicole, looked on in the packed council chambers, Holton said the lack of progress in Harris’ death was emblematic of a disconnect between the police department and the community.
“Our very civility has been compromised by our benign neglect. … We have become much too complacent.”
Councilman Robert Curran, D-3rd District, said the council owed it their former colleague to keep the pressure on the police department. “If this happened to one of us and Ken was still on the council, we all know he would be doing the same thing we are doing tonight.”
Earlier, Bealefeld addressed the council’s concerns at its monthly mayor’s luncheon, said Councilman Bill Henry, D-14th.
Henry said the commissioner stressed the need for the community to assist detectives.
“He said the department needed help from the community,” Henry said.
But Henry said both city residents and police need to work to build stronger ties.
“This is an emotional case, so I don’t want to blame anyone, but I think both the department and the community could do a better job of working together.”
Harris was shot around 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 20 at the Haven Lounge, a jazz club in the Northwood Shopping Plaza. Four gunmen accosted Harris as he exited the club with owner Keith Covington. The robbers pushed Covington back inside as Harris made a break for his car. According to police, Harris was then shot in the back through the driver’s-side window. He died later at a hospital.
Police have released surveillance video showing several men, one possibly carrying a mask, walking past a nearby automated teller machine just minutes before the shooting occurred. Police have matched a bullet from a January robbery attempt at a gas station just blocks from the Haven to the gun used to kill Harris.
Harris, a Democrat, served the city’s 4th District for two terms before giving up his seat to run for council president in 2007, a race he lost to Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
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