Gov. Hogan Says Fells Point Violence Is A 'Basic Failure To Stop Lawlessness,' Calls It 'Unacceptable'
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- As the weekend is set to begin, Fells Point area residents and business owners remain on edge after violence broke out in Broadway Square last weekend.
Local and state officials are working to control the crime breaking out in the popular area of the city. Three people were injured in two shootings last weekend.
On Thursday, Gov. Larry Hogan called the violence "outrageous and unacceptable."
"I mean this is a basic failure to stop lawlessness and they've got to do something about it," Hogan said. "We've been pushing them for a plan. Later today I'm supposed to hear something about that plan."
Maryland State Police will operate sobriety checkpoints along Boston Street this weekend. Hogan said that has been the only request from the city for state help.
Mayor Brandon Scott is hosting a virtual town hall for residents Thursday night.
Police meanwhile will enforce residential parking permitting in the area and will be patrolling the area.
"Before we start sending people in there, we want to find out what the city is going to do," Hogan said. He said, "the only way to really step in would it be to declare martial law in a state of emergency and send in the National Guard like we did in 2015. I don't think that's what people in Baltimore want at this point, they just want the city police to do their job."
Thirty seven business owners are threatening to withhold tax payments to Baltimore City— saying leaders have turned their backs on the community—and they have reached their "breaking point."
They wrote a letter to the mayor, police commissioner and city state's attorney demanding action.
"We deserve better as citizens of Baltimore," Claudia Towles told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren of the recent problems. WJZ saw a visible police presence in the community Wednesday including officers on bicycles.
Towles and other community leaders said police need to crack down on public drunkenness, clean up the trash and enforce parking restrictions.
"Drastic measures for drastic situations," Towles said. "...We're asking for basic city services."
In response, the city warned of temporary street closures and strict parking enforcement this coming weekend.
On June 11 through June 13, all through traffic will be restricted between 4 p.m. and 6 a.m., within these boundaries:
- South of Aliceanna Street
- North of Thames Street
- East of S. Bond Street
- West of S. Ann Street
The following parking restrictions will also be implemented Friday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Broadway from Aliceanna to Lancaster Streets
- Broadway from Shakespeare to Thames Streets
- 1600-1800 blocks of Thames Street
- 1600-1700 blocks of Lancaster Street
- 1600 block of Shakespeare Street
Fells Point visitors and residents will have to pay close attention to all posted parking restrictions to avoid parking in a restricted area. Residential Permit Parking will be strictly enforced through the weekend in Area 16 and vehicles in violation will be ticketed along these roadways.
• Aliceanna Street • Broadway
• Fleet Street • Shakespeare Street
• Ann Street • Thames Street
• Lancaster Street • Dallas Street
• Bethel Street • Wolfe Street
• Register Street • Durham Street
• Bond Street • Fell Street
To ensure that Fells Point residents have access to parking near their homes, residents will be allowed to access areas closed to through traffic with their Area 16 Residential Parking permits.
Motorists should be aware that additional road closures and parking restrictions may be implemented in the vicinity of Fells Point throughout the weekend if needed. Motorists traveling in this area should be on the watch for changing traffic patterns and are encouraged to use alternate routes.
