Gov. Hogan: What Happened Last Night Won't Happen Again
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Police and the National Guard work to enforce a city-wide curfew.
Rick Ritter has more on the efforts to keep the city safe.
Twenty-four hours ago, what were streets mirroring a war zone-like scene, now show a powerful presence across the city, with more than 2,000 National Guard troops and hundreds of officers.
"This combined force will not tolerate violence or looting," Governor Larry Hogan said.
In West Baltimore--one of the hardest hit areas Monday--tensions were high at times, but lines of armor and shields diffused any repeat of chaos.
"For the most part, the city has been calm today," said Commissioner Anthony Batts, Baltimore City Police Department.
With rifles in hand, the National Guard walked the perimeter of City Hall and police headquarters.
At the Inner Harbor, it was the same story.
Law enforcement is getting a grip on Charm City, taking back control.
"We have law enforcement assets from nearly every single corner of the state of Maryland," the governor said.
Officials say the strong police presence with help from the National Guard scattered throughout the city will go into the night, the morning and the rest of the week.
The following assets have been provided, which include:
- 500 National Guardsmen to support the operation, with a target of 2,000 troops activated to provide support by the end of the day;
- Over 400 State Troopers and other allied law enforcement officers;
- 300 law enforcement from Pennsylvania, 150 from New Jersey, and 45 from the District of Columbia;
- Department of Informational Technology is providing situational awareness mapping;
- Department of General Services has deployed Capitol Police to secure state buildings in Baltimore;
- Transportation is being provided to all law enforcement officials;
- 37 fire engines, eight truck companies, and two heavy rescue units from surrounding counties; and,
- 20,000 meals and 1,000 bottles of water, which will be provided to law enforcement and first responders.
- More than 200 arrests have been made.
"Let me be clear: We will recover, and we will be better on the other side of this," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
Mayor Rawlings-Blake went one-on-one with WJZ, urging criminals to step down.
"Things escalated really quickly yesterday, and we've mobilized additional resources to ensure that doesn't happen," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
In the midst of dark shadows surrounding Baltimore, communities continue to band together, knowing they're in the hands of high security, hoping for brighter days ahead.
"We will have order in our city," the mayor said.
The mayor praised local religious leaders, many of them opening up their church doors to feed and talk to Baltimore's teenagers about the rioting.
She also pushed back against criticism over her earlier remarks about police giving protestors space.
"I would never, ever say anything to suggest I condone the violence and the looting and the destruction that we've seen," the mayor said.
As the cleanup continues, Congress Elijah Cummings tells WJZ he's concerned that many of the looted businesses won't want to reopen in the already struggling West Baltimore neighborhood after such a traumatic event.
"I have assured them that we're going to do everything in our power to protect their properties. I just don't want them to leave Baltimore. We spent too much time bringing these entities into our city, and this is our city," said Rep. Cummings, (D) 7th District.
Other law enforcement from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the District of Columbia are assisting.
