By DaQuan Lawrence,
Special to the AFRO
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott wants help from the Maryland General Assembly in addressing the city’s public safety, environment and quality of life.
On Jan. 5, he unveiled his legislative and budget priorities for 2023.
Scott announced he is seeking $20.25 million in state aid for Police Protection Enhanced Warrant Service Initiative grants. For fiscal year 2023, that funding is to include additional overtime, and increased police visibility and patrol manpower.
Scott also announced that the city will add $50 million in capital and operating funds for the design and construction of two new Baltimore Police Department district buildings in the Northwest and Northeastern quadrants of the city.
He also said that he will continue to pursue legislation and budgetary requests that target the root causes of violence, particularly addressing high concentrations of blight and vacant properties.
“We are asking the state for $100 million to address vacancy and to eliminate blight in our city,” said Scott, discussing how unsafe and unstable vacant structures are not only a hazard, but an invitation to crime. Vacant properties are often used to facilitate criminal activity.
“I’m looking forward to working with Gov.-elect Wes Moore, the General Assembly and our partners on improving outcomes for our residents and most importantly holding violent offenders accountable,” he said.
In the news conference at Baltimore City Hall, Scott addressed the proliferation of weapons within the city as well as the gun violence that has plagued not only the city of Baltimore, but also the nation.
“Here on out, something that you can get used to hearing from me is more details about the guns that we are recovering on the streets of Baltimore,” said Scott. The mayor mentioned that city officials traced 816 weapons to their origins outside of the state of Maryland, while 508 weapons were traced to sources within the state.
“Virginia led the way with 168, Georgia was right behind with 158 weapons that were traced back. When you hear me consider the flow of illegal guns into the city, how they are getting here, and where they are coming from, that matters” said Scott.
Scott mentioned that the importance of identifying the origins of weapons is inexplicably linked to diminishing the amount of gun violence within the city. “It matters because the lives lost on the streets of Baltimore at the hands of the individuals who pulled the trigger matter,” said Scott.
“There are folks who live in Hudson Village who have never been to the other side of the city. We know they didn’t go to Kentucky, Texas, California or wherever that game can come from. Our transportation system isn’t good enough for them to get across town.”
Scott mentioned that addressing gun violence is high on his agenda and should also be a priority on a national and federal level. “We have to understand that folks are not only making money in Baltimore. As a country, we have not gotten to a point where we value the lives of American people over the sanctity of American guns,” said Scott.
During the news conference, the mayor mentioned the importance of partnerships across all levels of government in creating a safer and more equitable Baltimore. “Thankfully in a few weeks we will have a governor who has deep ties to Baltimore, who understands the challenges of communities, and who cares about working with me, ” said Scott.
In his remarks he also highlighted his goals for the juvenile system saying, “We must ensure that we’re building systems and institutions so young people are not treated as adults.”
Scott voiced enthusiasm and hope for substantial improvements across Baltimore City. “I am incredibly excited to see what is in store for this upcoming session. We have an experienced delegation that is dedicated” said Scott.
“We now have a governor who shares our vision for Baltimore’s bright future, and those priorities align with our understanding the needs of Baltimore. We will work together in every single solitary way to make Baltimore a better place,” Scott said.
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