Baltimore to issue citations, offer community service for low-level crimes

(WEAA)— City officials are launching a new citation initiative to address low-level offenses and change the culture of accountability in Baltimore.

The initiative, spearheaded by Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, was created to improve public safety and connect individuals to needed resources.

Bates says, the program is about fundamentally changing attitudes and creating personal responsibility so minor offenses don’t lead to more severe crimes.

Under the program, individuals will receive a citation and a court date. In court, eligible defendants will be offered community service hours instead of prosecution.

If the defendants choose not to accept the offer or fail to complete their community service hours, the State will proceed with the case in the normal course on the trial date.

The BCSAO will also refer defendants to voluntary wrap-around services, such as addiction treatment, educational and housing resources, and job training.

In order to be eligible, defendants must be 18 years or older and can’t have any pending violent charges or outstanding warrants.

“This new citation initiative, coordinated by State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and the Baltimore Police Department, is redefining the way our city approaches quality-of-life offenses,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “With this initiative, the State’s Attorney is moving away from arrests and towards a citation approach that allows for options like community service. Ultimately, the hope is that this approach will help to shift us away from the history of brutal criminalization that has been tied to the enforcement of low-level offenses while not letting these quality-of-life concerns go unaddressed.”

“Addressing quality-of-life crimes by issuing citations or offering alternatives to arrests will improve the quality-of-life and public safety concerns for our residents and visitors,” said Commissioner Michael S. Harrison. “This will not be about mass incarceration or aggressive policing. It is about ensuring swift consequences to those offenders who carry out these types of crimes while also taking a holistic approach in providing individuals with necessary services and resources.”

The Baltimore Police Department will begin issuing citations for "quality-of-life" offenses on Monday, June 12, 2023. The State’s Attorney Office will hold the first citation dockets the week of July 17.

For a full list of minor offenses, click here.