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News Wrap: Baltimore Remembers Michael Brown; Call for Investigation into Psychology Firm

Signs from Saturday's march against police brutality and commemorating the one year anniversary of Michael Brown's death
Ashlee Banks
Signs from Saturday's march against police brutality and commemorating the one year anniversary of Michael Brown's death

 

On Saturday, the day before the anniversary of Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Mo., Baltimore protestors marched against police brutality. The group gathered at Pennsylvania and North Avenues. WEAA Reporter Ashlee Banks reports.

Call for Investigation into Psychology Firm that Evaluated Officer Charged in Death of Freddie Gray

Baltimore City Council President Jack Young is calling for investigative hearings into Psychology Consultants Associated (PCA), a psychology firm accused of rushing mental health screenings for police officers.

In a news release on Friday, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said that the city is suspending referrals of employees, police officers, and their family members to Psychology Consultants Associated. PCA assesses the mental health and fitness for duty of officers who were removed from active duty due to psychological problems.

According to the Associated Press, PCA assessed Lt. Brian Rice, one of the six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray. In April 2012, Rice was hospitalized because of mental health concerns. Court records and the sheriff’s reports raised concerns about Rice’s self-control and judgement. Yet he continued to be on duty.

The Associated Press also reports that the Maryland State Police placed PCA on probation in June, after an investigation showed the firm was completing evaluations for officer’s mental stability in 15 minutes, instead of the 45 required by state contract.

Police Clear Dirt Bikers from Druid Hill Park

On Sunday evening, police in riot gear dispersed dirt bikers and bicyclists from Druid Hill park. According to the Baltimore Sun, this has become a weekly confrontation in which bikers wheelie toward Liberty Heights Avenue, and officers issue parking tickets in attempts to clear the crowd. This week, police said the crowd had thrown rocks at officers. According to City Paper contributor Noah Sciaom, tensions grew so high on Sunday that an officer pulled out his gun and pointed it toward the crowd. 

Grenade Found in McDonald’s Parking Lot

Police found an active military-grade hand grenade in the parking lot outside of a McDonald’s in Thurmont on Saturday. The bomb was a foot under the pavement, which indicates it had been there for awhile. There were no injuries reported.

Anne Arundel Earthquake

A minor earthquake struck Anne Arundel County late Saturday night. According to state emergency management officials, the quake was 2.2 magnitude, and centered near Crownsville. Residents said it sounded like a large truck going by.

Missing Nine-Year-Old Odenton Boy  

Anne Arundel County police are looking for Benjamin Molina, a nine-year-old boy who ran away from his home in Odenton.  They say Benjamin left home Friday evening in a dark t-shirt, tan shorts, black tennis shoes, and carrying a brown backpack. Benjamin has done this before — he and his 14-year-old brother were found unharmed on August 1 after running away from home together. 

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