On Monday morning, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake took a “Crime and Grime” walk with community members of Baltimore’s Upton neighborhood. While there, she invited residents to attend the next Public Safety Forum, which is in the Central District this week.
This forum is the second in a series that will take place in each of the city’s police districts. The meetings give participants the opportunity to voice their opinions about the surge in crime in and the tactics of the city police department. Both residents and district police officers are encouraged to attend. Participants will be able to speak directly to Rawlings-Blake and Kevin Davis, Interim Commissioner.
The Public Safety Forum will be held at 7 p.m. on August 5 at the John Eager Howard Recreation Center.
Mosby Responds to Baltimore Sun Regarding Homicide Review Commission
On Monday, States Attorney Marilyn Mosby responded to the July 31 Baltimore Sun article that asserted that she was derailing the Homicide Review Commission. The Commission was created as an innovative collaboration between police, health officials, and academics to identify and address violence within the city. The Baltimore Sun alleged that she was was stalling the progress of the Commission by refusing to share critical information from open trial cases.
In an interview with Clarence Mitchell IV on WBAL Radio, Mosby said that law enforcement officials already know what is causing Baltimore's increase in violence, and that the money would be better spent elsewhere. "We are more than willing to work with this commission," she told Mitchell. "But my office will never compromise open and pending investigations when we are trying to convict murderers. We will never disclose sensitive information that can put safety of victims and witnesses in jeopardy. Especially when the study they are looking for is obtainable and can be utilized through closed cases."
Charles Village Store Owner Will Give Away Her Business in a Contest
Esther “Kiki” Armstrong is holding an essay contest in which the winner will receive her store, Sankofa African and World Bazaar, along with $10,000. After 30 years in the United States, Armstrong is returning to Ghana, and she wants to pass her business on to the right person.
Sankofa African and World Bazaar carries African art, jewelry, and clothes. It has been on North Charles Street for two decades.
Participants will apply for the contest by paying an application fee, answering a multiple choice quiz about African culture and history, and writing a 500-word essay about their business background and intentions for the store. A panel of six judges will help Armstrong pick a winner. She will be accepting entries to the contest until September 15.
Convention to Bring 13,000 People to Baltimore
The National Urban League is coming to the Baltimore Convention Center next August for its 2016 conference. The convention is expected to bring 13,000 people to town, and tourism officials estimate that it will have a more than $4 million-dollar impact on the Baltimore area. The conference will offer workshops designed to empower communities and individuals working for economic independence, power, and civil rights.
Ravens Fans Attend Free Practice
Thousands of Ravens fans attended the M&T Bank Stadium last night to watch a free open practice. The event featured a youth football clinic on the field before practice began and concluded with fireworks, a laser show, and an autograph session for kids.
