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This week, state proposals for tougher penalties for illegal, loaded guns were introduced on the behalf of the City administration to the Maryland General Assembly. To help build grass-roots support, I created a new social media website, baltimorecity.gov/SaferCity, to support the new illegal gun legislation.
The current laws are too weak and support a culture that tolerates illegal, loaded gun possession on the streets of our city and state.
One City administration proposal, SB239 / HB252, would create a minimum sentence of 18 months for all defendants arrested with an illegal, loaded firearm. The other City administration proposal, SB240 / HB241, would strengthen sentencing options for felons in possession of guns by creating a tougher sentencing range of 5 years minimum to 15 years maximum, giving judges more sentencing options when faced with a repeat gun offender.
I urge everyone-business leaders, community leaders, and everyday citizens who care about the future of Baltimore-to join me in Annapolis this year for this cause. I also specifically ask the leaders of our public safety unions to join the fight for tougher penalties for illegal, loaded gun possession so we can stop the revolving door of justice, continue to reduce gun violence in Baltimore, and keep our police officers safe when they patrol our neighborhoods.
In Baltimore, 44% of homicide suspects in 2010 had a prior gun arrest; yet 82% of all jail time imposed by Baltimore's criminal courts for gun offenders charged with these crimes was suspended, and the average amount of jail time served by misdemeanor gun offenders is only four months.
The new social media website, baltimorecity.gov/SaferCity, contains information about the bills, links to related news articles, editorial commentary, and press releases as well as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube content. Maryland residents who support the legislation are urged to join a growing coalition of business, community, faith, government, and institutional leaders by signing-up with their e-mail address and linking with friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter. The website provides a fact sheet and will provide updates on the status of the legislation as it moves through the legislative process.
(You can listen to Mayor Rawlings-Blake's interview about SaferCity with the 98Rock Morning Show here.)
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at my website or by email at mayor@baltimorecity.gov. You can also follow the Mayor's Office and be a part of the conversation on Twitter. |
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Sincerely,
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor, City of Baltimore
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Baltimore CASH Campaign Families of 2 or more who made $49,000 or less in 2010 and single tax filers who made $25,000 or less may be eligible for free tax preparation and other helpful financial services through the Baltimore CASH campaign. The Baltimore CASH Campaign strives to provide working families access to the tools and services needed to maximize their earning dollars. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, visit www.bmorefreetaxes.org or call 410-234-8008. |
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"Payback's a Gift" Raffle You and nine of your closest friends can watch the Ravens take down their most controversial opponent in skybox style! Purchase a raffle ticket to support Baltimore City's YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program, and become eligible to win 10 Mayor's skybox tickets to the Ravens' payback against the Steelers at their first regular season home game. Raffle tickets are just $25.00 for one chance to win or $100.00 for 6 chances to win! Raffle tickets are on sale from February 2nd through February 28th. Go to www.BaltimorePayback2011.com or call 1-800-760-9008 for more information, official rules, and your chance to WIN! |
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Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower Commemorative Quilt The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts has announced a call for entries to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower. Local quilters are needed to create a 9" X 9" block depicting some aspect of the notable landmark. Submitted work will be incorporated into either the quilt for the tower or quilt pillows, which will be sold to support Baltimore's cultural community. A competition will be held to select the center block of the Bromo Quilt. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, March 31. For more information, or to download the entry form, visit www.bromoseltzerartstower.com. |
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Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower Open Studio Day
Saturday, February 5, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, 21 S. Eutaw Street See visual and performing artists, visit their work studios, and purchase original artwork. More than a dozen artists showcase their work, including mixed-media, paintings, photographs, and sculptures. The Shop at Bromo, a newly added retail store that sells artwork by regional artists, will have extended hours. For more information, call 410-752-8632 or visit www.bromoseltzerartstower.com. |
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Baltimore CASH Campaign Financial Fitness Series
Tuesday, February 8, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Enoch Pratt Free Library Central Branch, 400 Cathedral Street Have you ever wondered how to set up a last will and testament, trust, financial power of attorney, or living will? Do you want to know more about how to distribute your assets to loved ones? Mary Rose E. Cook, an attorney with Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC will provide answers to these types of questions and more. Registration is free, but space is limited. For more information or to register, call 410-234-2803. |
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Vacants to Value Summit
Thursday, February 10, 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Baltimore Convention Center You've heard about it. Now come and learn more about Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's "Vacants to Value" initiative. Join Mayor Rawlings-Blake for a day of candid discussions with practical, reality-based solutions for Baltimore's vacant property crisis. Highlights include breakfast with the Mayor, interactive workshops, a working power lunch, and a networking reception. Register by Tuesday, February 1 by contacting Jacinta Dilfourt at 443-984-3100 or Jacinta.Difourt@habc.org. |
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Exploring Baltimore's Musical Legacy
Friday, February 11, 12:00 pm-1:00 pm
City Hall, Board of Estimates Room, 100 N. Holliday Street Baltimore film collector Stuart Hudgins and Camay Calloway Murphy, daughter of jazz icon Cab Calloway, will show many of Baltimore's own stars through film and lecture. Murphy will give personal observations on her life with her famous father, whose life has been documented in the recent biography Hi de Ho: The Life of Cab Calloway. This lecture is part of the It's More Than History! Brown Bag Lecture Series. Bring your favorite brown bag lunch. Photo ID is required for entry. For more information, call Shauntee Daniels at 443-984-2369. |
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Mayor's Budget Workshop
Saturday, February 12, 1:00 pm
Vollmer Center at Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue Roll up your sleeves and help Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake with the tough decisions she faces in closing an $80 million budget gap. The workshop will begin with a short presentation and Q&A about the City's fiscal situation. Complete a realistic budget-balancing exercise, weighing which services to cut and which ones to protect. Participants will make recommendations to the Mayor about how to craft a budget that keeps the City moving forward at a time of unprecedented fiscal stress. For more information, call the Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods at 410-396-4735. |
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Disability Income Tax Day
Saturday, February 12, 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Various Locations If you have a disability and make less than $49,000 a year, you may be eligible to participate. Get your income taxes completed for free and learn about disability services, asset planning, and other government funded assistance programs. For more information, or to register, call the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) at 410-333-6119. If you need special language access for persons with limited English proficiency or special accommodations, call Dwight Daughton, Mayor's Commission on Disabilities, at410-396-1161 by Monday, January 31. |
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Macy's Go Red for Women Health Fair & Fashion Show
Saturday, February 12, 10:00 am-2:30 pm
Macy's, Towson Town Center, 825 Dulaney Valley Road The American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign celebrates the energy, passion, and power of women to band together and wipe out the #1 killer of women: heart disease. Come Learn about heart disease and stroke prevention, get health screenings, nutrition counseling, meet fitness guru Charles Harris, and enjoy a spectacular Macy's fashion show featuring top designers worn by participants of all ages, survivors, celebrities, and KIS models. For more information, call 410-637-4569 or visit www.goredforwomen.org. |
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Baltimore City CERT Training
February 12-13, 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Baltimore City Fire Academy, 6720 Pulaski Highway In 95% of emergencies, bystanders or victims themselves are the first to provide emergency assistance or rescue. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains citizens to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their communities. This quarterly training will give you the tools you need to understand hazards that can affect your community, perform first aid techniques, make an emergency plan for your family or business, and more. For more information, or to reserve a spot by February 4, email cert@baltimorecity.gov. |
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Youth Speak Out - 7th District
Wednesday, February 16, 5:00 pm-8:00 pm
Coppin State University Talon Center, 2nd Floor Atrium What's on your mind? Youth from Baltimore's 7th Council District can speak with City agencies about their concerns and engage in discussion with City and community leaders about youth violence, health, city schools, and hot topics in their neighborhoods. Be a part of the discussion! For more information, call 443-984-3587. |
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Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Fundraiser
Thursday, February 24, 6:00 pm
B & O Railroad Museum, 901 West Pratt Street Join the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship at its annual fundraiser. NFTE provides entrepreneurship curriculum to students in middle schools and high schools in low-income communities. The organization's Baltimore affiliate was established in 2002 and has served more than 7,000 young adults, teaching students how to start businesses. For more information or to purchase tickets to the event, visit www.nfte.com/baltimore-fundraiser or call 410-935-9142. |
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Poetry Out Loud
Saturday, February 26, 1:00 pm
Enoch Pratt Free Library Central Branch, 400 Cathedral Street Aaron Henkin of WYPR-FM hosts the Maryland State Poetry Out Loud finals, sponsored by the Maryland State Arts Council and featuring nine regional winners who will compete for the championship. The Poetry Out Loud competition awards more than $100,000 in prizes to students and schools at the state and national levels. For more information, email Christine Stewart at cstwewart@msac.org. |
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Fest-Of-All Gala & Fashion Show
Saturday, February 26, 7:00 pm-11:00 pm
Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway Beat the winter doldrums at the 4th Annual FEST-OF-ALL Gala & Fashion Show. Fest-of-All is a celebration of everything Federal Hill; enjoy fine food & drink from great restaurants and taverns and the newest spring fashions from award-winning boutiques. Music, dancing, and a silent auction round out the evening. Proceeds go to the Federal Hill Main Street program for its community revitalization efforts. Tickets are $60 in advance, $75 at the door. For more information, visit www.historicfederalhill.org. |
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