(Baltimore, MD) -- Governor Larry Hogan is calling in reinforcements to help fight crime in Baltimore City.
Federal, state and local agencies will assist with the newly-announced crime surge operation.
“Addressing violent crime has been an important focus of our administration, and a critical piece of that has been increasing collaboration and coordination,” said Governor Hogan. “I want to thank U.S. Attorney Barron for his partnership, and for his strong commitment to tackling violent crime. By working together, we are going to use every tool at our disposal to make our neighborhoods safer.”
The governor today unveiled two new initiatives -- the "Baltimore City Feeder Task Force" and "Knock and Talk."
Baltimore City Feeder Route Task Force. Composed of 16 MSP troopers and officers of the Maryland Transportation Authority, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Anne Arundel County Police Department, this joint task force utilizes real-time intelligence from the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center—or MCAC—to enhance overnight patrol efforts and crack down on gang and criminal activity along the main arteries into and out of Baltimore City.
“Knock and Talk” Surge Initiative. Developed by the DPSCS Division of Parole and Probation (DPP), this innovative new “knock and talk” initiative focuses on Baltimore City neighborhoods experiencing increased levels of violence. Working in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, this enhanced engagement effort deploys teams of parole and probation agents and sworn police officers in designated districts to make home visits.
He says efforts will be focused on neighborhoods with the most violence.