Slow to take credit for the dramatic changes that have occurred within the Eastern District, Commanding Officer Major Melvin Russell says he couldn’t have made the progress seen in East Baltimore without the help of The Transformation Team and his faith.
Comprised of concerned business owners, clergy, members of law enforcement and community leaders, The Transformation Team works in conjunction with all nine of the police districts within the boundaries of Baltimore City. Recognized internationally with the Somebody Cares “Global Servant Award,” The Transformation Team garnered much attention in 2011. Recipient of the first Judge Tony Guillory “Civic Justice Award” for the work done in what has historically been the most violent district in the city, The Transformation Team was also honored with The Governor’s Community Service Award of 2011.
Creating and continuing programs that make for a better Baltimore, the Eastern District serves the community through initiatives such as prison outreach programming, job fairs, clothing drives, and the grocery give-aways that provided over 80,000 pounds of food in 2011 to Baltimoreans in need. Sponsoring neighborhood walk- throughs, knocking on the doors of drug dealers in the community for prayer, and assisting gang members seeking to leave a life of crime for gainful employment and education, The Transformation Team has truly worked miracles in every sense of the word.
These community programs are a key factor in the turnaround seen in neighborhoods such as Barclay, Greenmount West, and Latrobe Homes, which have been plagued by violence in the past. “I’d be arrogant to say that it is police efforts,” said Major Melvin Russell when asked how the Eastern District was able to reach the lowest homicide rate it has had in nearly four decades. “It’s a collaboration between all of us- every resident, every pastor and congregation and there’s still room at the table,” said Major Russell, who firmly believes the goals of The Transformation Team were surpassed with help from his Deputy Major of 3 years, Dan Lioi, and Matt Stephens of Somebody Cares Baltimore. Charged with making the 21 communities that make up the Eastern District safe and secure neighborhoods, Major Russell has had his work cut out for him just like every commissioner commanding an urban area.
“You can’t change the whole world- but you can change the block you patrol, and a partner can change the block they work. And before you know it the city can change,” said Major Russell, who pushes his officers and citizens alike to put their all into the communities they serve.
A native of Baltimore City, Major Russell has long been firmly rooted in the gospel, something he says has kept him grounded through over 20 years of service in the police force.
Beginning his career at age 19 as a police cadet, by age 21 Major Russell was the first African American valedictorian to graduate from the police academy and well on his way to a prosperous career in law enforcement. Holding numerous positions throughout several federal agencies such as the ATF, DEA, and the FBI, Major Russell recalled in a phone interview the challenges he faced when taking the office of commissioner. “When we first started walking out things got worse and I understood spiritually that when you’re doing the right thing, all hell will come against you,” said Major Russell on the struggle to get a handle on crime in his district.
“However, if you keep pressing you will see a breakthrough and before we knew it, everything that was getting worse started to get better- we knew we were on the right track.” A firm believer in the same higher power he says gave him a vision for a safer Baltimore years before the lauded 2011 drop in homicides, Major Russell has been effectively touching lives in the community not only from the police station, but the pulpit as well.
Aiming to serve, Major Russell and his Transformation Team’s commitment to Baltimore can hardly be questioned as together their passion for the work shows through just as much as the unmistakable presence of much needed diligence and humility.
