In Baltimore yesterday, seven people were shot. In the 30 days since Freddie Gray died, more than 30 people have been killed in Baltimore. Some are linking the violence to fewer arrests by Baltimore police following the charges against the six police officers involved in Gray’s arrest. They say police are less active. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake responded to those claims at a press conference earlier this week: “People have said it’s because morale is down or it’s because the officers were charged… We don’t know that.” And, the violence of the past 30 days isn’t new. Since the beginning of the year, homicides are up 40% and shootings up 60% over the same period last year. So, what’s driving the surge in violent crime? And, how can it be stopped?
With us by phone to give his perspective is Brandon Scott, a Baltimore City Councilman. He represents parts of East Baltimore. And, with us in the studio is Tessa Hill-Aston, President of the Baltimore chapter of the NAACP. We reached out to the Baltimore Police Department as well, they did not make anyone available for an interview.
Audio for this segment will be available by the end of the day.
