Mayor Scott, Gov. Hogan say crime meeting was 'productive'

BALTIMORE, MD (WEAA) — Mayor Brandon Scott, Governor Larry Hogan and Police Commissioner Michael Harrison met Thursday to discuss the surge in violence in Baltimore and ways to reduce crime. 

Mayor Scott and Gov. Hogan both described the meeting as "productive".

The mayor’s office released the following statement:

Mayor Scott and Commissioner Harrison have worked together over the last few months on building a safer Baltimore. Today, they met with Governor Hogan to attain his partnership in this effort and elevate tactical areas where coordination with state agencies would be useful. The meeting was productive. Mayor Scott presented several immediate steps Governor Hogan could take to reduce violence that target violent repeat offenders, strengthen collaboration across law enforcement agencies, and lessen unessential burdens on Baltimore Police officers to permit more time to fight crime. No funding requests were made by Mayor Scott or Commissioner Harrison. Curing the violence epidemic in Baltimore requires broad coordination and commitment from city, state, and federal partners. 

Gov. Hogan also spoke outafter the meeting, “"I thought the mayor had some very good ideas, and we're looking forward to following up and assisting them in whatever way we can.”

Hogan also noted that he was impressed with Scott’s crime plan, “I’ve been the governor for six years and this is my fourth mayor to come into my office and talk about a crime plan. I would say that I was very impressed that the mayor had actually put in a lot of effort and thought into it. We want him to be successful.”
 
The mayor believes Thursday’s meeting was a step in the right direction.