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Every day, the men and women of the Baltimore Police Department are implementing a strategy that has successfully reduced gun crime in Baltimore. Year-to-date, total gun crime is down 15% and non-fatal shootings are down 10%. BPD has been able to accomplish this by targeting criminals who use guns and taking guns off the street. In fact, so far this year, Police have arrested more than 700 individuals on illegal gun possession charges and seized nearly 1,800 illegal guns from city streets.
As mayor, I am committed to supporting the efforts of our officers in every way I can. Despite the $121 million budget deficit, we funded every single police officer position in the budget, maintained funding for smart camera technology, and increased funding for the Violent Crime Impact Section. Also, I announced a detailed plan to hire 100 new police officers by the end of the year, and a record 350 police officers in 2011.
 This week, Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld and I were joined by Congressman C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger to announce a highly competitive grant award to aid in Baltimore's fight against gun violence. The $300,000 Smart Policing Grant, one of only six awarded in the nation, will fund Baltimore Police Department's gun suppression efforts and establish the agency's enforcement program as a national model of best policing practices.
The U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance Smart Policing Grant will assist the Violent Crime Impact Section in arresting and convicting violent gun offenders through partnerships with state and federal prosecutors and the U.S. Attorney's EXILE program.
The Smart Policing Grant will also fund aspects of the city's Gun Offender Registry, which provides valuable intelligence to law enforcement agencies on the identity and whereabouts of convicted gun offenders. The Registry was created in 2008, and since that time the City has registered over 1,000 gun offenders. Today, there are 463 registered gun offenders living in Baltimore City being actively monitored by the Gun Registry Unit and patrol officers. Less than one quarter of the registered gun offenders have been rearrested on any change, and only 3% are non-complaint with registration requirements.
The funding will also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Police Department's strategy in reducing gun violence. The evaluation will be led by Dr. Daniel Webster with the Center of Gun Policy and Research at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Webster will complete a comprehensive evaluation of our gun violence reduction strategy and help us make improvements. When the evaluation is complete, Baltimore will become an example for other cities as they work to make their neighborhoods safer. |
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Sincerely,
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor, City of Baltimore
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Early Voting is Coming!
This election, the first choice you'll make is which day to vote. By voting early, you can avoid the rush that comes with Election Day. Early voting will take place Friday, October 22 through Thursday, October 28 (excluding Sunday), 10:00 am-8:00 pm. All early voting centers are accessible for voters with disabilities. To view a message from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, visit www.youtube.com/MayorSRB. For more information or to find an early voting center near you, visit www.mdearlyvote.com. |
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2010 Bond Issues: Questions D-K
Tuesday, November 2 is Election Day; it is also a day to vote on issues that will help shape the future of Baltimore City. By voting YES on ballot questions D through K, you help Baltimore City provide $100 million over the next two years to fund projects that build, improve, and sustain what makes Baltimore a world-class city. A YES vote on ballot questions D through K is an easy way to support city-wide projects that create better schools, safer streets, and stronger neighborhoods. For more information about the 2010 Bond Issues, visit www.baltimorecity.gov/Government/AgenciesDepartments/Planning.aspx. |
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City Challenges and Service Survey
Baltimore's Chief Service Officer is charged with developing a coordinated plan focused on engaging volunteers to support the City's priorities: better schools, safer streets, and stronger neighborhoods. You can play an important role in shaping this plan by completing a survey that will help us understand the important role volunteers currently play in the city. Your opinion and your experience matter. Please share them with us by clicking here to fill out the online survey no later than October 27, 2010. |
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Baltimore Running Festival
Saturday, October 16 is the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival, including the Baltimore Marathon. Dedicated and casual runners from across the globe will visit Baltimore and run for a good cause. For more information, or to view route maps including times for road closures, visit www.thebaltimoremarathon.com.
MTA bus routes will also be affected. For more information, please visit mta.maryland.gov. |
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Cease Violence/Increase Education Campaign Contest
The David B. Wright Memorial Foundation, Inc. is working to Cease Violence/Increase Education. Baltimore City and County school students are encouraged to write about their experiences, goals, and achievements to share how crime affects their community, explain how they can make a positive change, and inspire others to continue their schooling. Through December 6, students should submit their essay, poetry, or art for a chance to win. For more information, visit davidbwrightmemorialfoundation.org. |
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Cultural Town Meeting Thursday, October 14, 6:00 pm
Baltimore School For the Arts, 712 Cathedral Street The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts invites residents to join Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and arts community leaders to share their concerns regarding the importance of the arts to the quality of life in Baltimore City.
For more information, contact Randi Vega at rvega@promotionandarts.com. |
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Russian Festival Friday, October 15-Sunday, October 17
Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, 1723 East Fairmount Avenue This festival is an annual celebration of the Russian community. There is a small admission charge. Times are Friday 11:00 am-9:00 pm, Saturday 12:00 pm-9:00 pm, and Sunday 12:00 pm-6:00 pm.
For more information, call 410-276-6171 or visit www.holytrinityorthodox.com/festival. |
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Community Health Fair
Saturday, October 16, 10:00 am-2:30 pm
The Greater St. Stephen's Church of God, 1129 Montpelier Street
In order to educate and acquaint the community with local elected officials, The Greater St. Stephen's Church of God will host this Community Health Fair. The fair will feature a variety of health and wellness screenings as well as the Wellness Wagon, Tobacco Bus, and representatives from the Baltimore City Health Department. For more information, contact Linda Brown at 443-470-0248 or Darlene Jackson at 410-616-9479. |
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Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos October 16-October 30, Wednesday-Saturday, 12:00pm-6:00 pm
School 33 Art Center, Project Space, 1427 Light Street Commemorate Day of the Dead with a collaborative exhibition in the Members' Gallery. Sugar Skull making workshops will take place throughout October. The closing event will take place Friday, October 29. Celebrate the dead with food, drinks, and a live dance performance. Dates for the workshops to be announced.
For more information, visit www.school33.org. |
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Women's Business Forum Tuesday, October 19, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Vollmer Center at Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue This 4th annual forum is an opportunity to network with business women in and around the City of Baltimore, and meet with various city agency representatives. The event is free, but registration is required.
For more information, or to register, call the Mayor's Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development at 410-396-3818 by Friday, October 15. |
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Open Studio Tour October 23-24, 10:00 am-6:00 pm
School 33 Art Center, 1427 Light Street Through this free, self-guided two-day tour, you can experience simply the best of Baltimore's diverse art culture. You'll have the rare chance to step into artists' studios and their worlds, during School 33 Art Center's Annual Open Studio Tour. The weekend's events kick off with a Friday evening opening reception and exhibition that you won't want to miss!
For more information, call 410-396-4641 or visit www.school33.org. |
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Annual Public Forum on Disabilities
Wednesday, October 27, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm
The League for People with Disabilities, 1111 E. Cold Spring Lane
The Mayor's Commission on Disabilities hosts this annual public forum. Discuss MTA Mobility Services, door to door service update. For more information, or if you need assistance, contact Dr. Nollie P. Wood, Jr. at nolliep.wood@baltimorecity.gov or 443-984-3170. |
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Pro Bono Day
Saturday, October 30, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Maryland Legal Aid, 500 E. Lexington Street
The Bar Association of Baltimore City (BABC) is hosting its third Pro Bono Day. Participants can discuss their civil legal issues one-on-one with volunteer lawyers. The event is free and open to the public. Please bring any relevant documents with you. Registration is not required, but is strongly encouraged. For more information or to register, contact the BABC at 410-539-5936 ext. 102 or by email at probono@baltimorebar.org. |
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