Baltimore City works to build police-resident relationships through National Night Out events
BALTIMORE - A community building campaign to strengthen ties between law enforcement, organizations and neighbors was held in more than 60 locations throughout the Baltimore City Tuesday night.
"National Night Out" is an event that kicks off in August across America, and Baltimore City took part.
"I think bringing our partners together, everybody has a seat at the table, we hear everybody's voice and that's what's important," said Cori Ramos, the event coordinator in Park Heights.
City, state and federal officials began the evening in Park Heights at the Delta Community Center where the neighborhood hosted with food, games, entertainment, music and giveaways.
"This is about safety," Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates said. "If we do not have safety, we do not have hope, we do not have a future, and today, this is just another step to make that we can secure the future of everybody in the community."
The event follows the one month mark of the city's worst mass shooting in history.
On July 2, at the Brooklyn Homes community, 30 people were shot during Brooklyn Day, an annual celebration that city officials confirmed this year was an 'unsanctioned'.
Two people, Aaliyah Gonzalez and Kylis Fagbemi, did not survive their injuries.
No one has been arrested for their murders.
"We will continue to make sure we hunt those folks down and that's not going to stop for us. We will catch them," said Mayor Brandon Scott.
The city leader said while the mass shooting investigation is ongoing, there has been a 25 percent reduction in homicides so far this year compared to last.
