Public safety town hall puts spotlight on crime patterns in Baltimore City, Baltimore County
BALTIMORE -- Leaders from Baltimore City and Baltimore County joined hands for a conversation about regional public safety on Wednesday.
The meeting started at 6:30 p.m. at the Edward A. Myerberg Center along Fallstaff Road in the northern part of the city.
City Councilman Isaac 'Yitzy' Schleifer of District 5 and County Councilman Izzy Patoka of District 2 hosted the town hall meeting, which was open to community members.
The meeting follows a recent string of violent crimes, including carjackings, which Schleifer said started this past Saturday in his district.
"It's unique right here because we share four and a half miles of city/county border, and so when there's crime sprees going on like we're seeing an uptick in carjackings right now, it goes back and forth between both sides of the line," Schleifer said. "Criminals do not see that border."
In response, Schleifer stated the police department deployed a license plate reader, which notifies the agency anytime a reported stolen car drives by the area.
By 7 p.m., nearly every seat at the Edward A. Myerberg Center was filled. Some people even stood at the back of the meeting room.
Dozens of people lined up to speak in front of local leaders to voice safety concerns, pose questions and search for solutions.
"It's like living in the wild, wild west except that it's the innocent people who become the victims," one resident said. "It's ridiculous to not be able to walk outside of your house and feel safe."
Residents acknowledged that although in some cases, arrests are being made, they feel there are constraints before the case reaches a courtroom due to the Juvenile Justice Reform Act.
In response, Baltimore County State's Attorney, Scott Shellenberger, urged people to contact their local legislator to enact changes to current laws.
"Google Maryland General Assembly. On the left-hand side, it says members. Find out who your delegates and who your senators are. You can click on a button and send them an emailm" Shellenberger said. "The email you should send them is 'juvenile crime is out of control, reverse the Juvenile Justice Reform Act."
Other key players on both sides of the aisle include City State's Attorney Ivan Bates, Acting City Police Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore City Sheriff Sam Cogen and Baltimore County Sheriff R. Jay Fisher.