Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is working with city officials to prepare for potential protests next week as the Freddie Gray court hearings begin. The Baltimore Sun reports that these precautions include coordinating with law enforcement agencies around the state, upgrading riot gear, and conducting crowd-control training.
On Wednesday, Rawlings-Blake spoke about the precautions, emphasizing that the city is not opposed to peaceful protest but needs to be prepared in case of violence. "We've identified potential flash points over the next year, and the motions hearing is one of those," Rawlings-Blake said. "While we're preparing, I don't want people to lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of the protests were peaceful. The challenge is when a few people hijack the peaceful protest."
The Sun also reports that officials plan to hold educational sessions in schools about the justice system. Rawlings-Blake explained that the goal is not only to educate students about the justice system, but also to give them realistic expectations of how the hearings will play out.
The first hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
Gun Seized In Safe Streets Raid Linked To Shootings
A gun seized in the raid of a Safe Streets East Baltimore office is linked to at least two nonfatal shootings in July and an incident in April. The Baltimore Sun reports that a robbery investigation led police to the East Monument Street office where they arrested two employees, confiscated seven guns, and recovered illegal drugs. Safe Streets hires ex-offenders to help keep the peace in neighborhoods hit hard by violence.
The Sun also writes that city officials remain supportive of Safe Streets, which has been credited with stemming violence in the neighborhoods where it is active. Among the city officials that support Safe Streets is Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen.
"We very much believe in the efficacy of Safe Streets," Wen said, quoted in the Sun. "We are implementing new security protocols and better background checks. We really believe in recruiting ex-offenders and giving people a second chance.” Wen said then she would like to see Safe Streets expanded to an additional six sites, which would bring the number to 11.
One Dead, Two Injured In Two Separate Shootings
One man is dead and two others are injured after two separate shootings less than five hours apart. Police were called to the 800 block of Wickham Road in Southwest Baltimore at about 8:30 on Thursday night, where they found a 37-year-old dead at the scene and another man with injuries that were not life-threatening. Around 12:45 Friday morning, police responded to another shooting in Essex where a man was found injured. Detectives have not released any information on suspects or the victims' names in either incident.
Marines' First Black Aviator And General Dies
Lieutenant General Park Peterson, who made history twice by becoming the U.S. Marines Corps' first black aviator and also its first black general, is dead at the age of 83. He passed away Tuesday at his home in Stevensville, Maryland, from complications of lung cancer. Peterson entered the military in 1950 and went on to fly more than 350 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam.
Bowie Resident May Have West Nile
A resident of Bowie, Maryland, may be suffering from West Nile virus. The Maryland Department of Agriculture says that's not confirmed, but as a precaution, the Somerset neighborhood will be sprayed for mosquitoes next Tuesday. Other Bowie neighborhoods with known mosquito problems will also be sprayed.
Orioles Fall In Kansas City
The Baltimore Orioles are leaving Kansas City after losing three of four games to the Royals, including a 5-3 defeat yesterday afternoon. Yordano Ventura shut down the O's, although once he was out of the game they were able to mount a late but futile rally. Perhaps more devastating than the loss is an injury to Adam Jones who crashed into the wall in an unsuccessful attempt to catch a fly ball and he will be evaluated by doctors today.
