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examiNation Baltimore: What do you think about Baltimore City's homicide unit?
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The Baltimore City branch of the NAACP on Tuesday called for Mayor Sheila Dixon to start an investigation in the police department’s homicide unit, alleging those detectives are hired based on cronyism.
What do you think about Baltimore City's homicide unit?
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Examiner Reader said:
The NAACP should stay out of some things, like this. Always pulling the "Race Card". Why don't they save it for when it's really necessary. Nevertheless, There is a problem with the city's homicide unit- I know from personal experience. But this doesn't seem like an issue for the NAACP. They should stick to things like defending Michael Vick- I mean he was obviously in need of their help!
50 agree | 45 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The NAACP should concentrate their efforts in the neighborhoods, not in the police department. Most of the homicides would not be prevented by police, unless you put a cop in every household. BUT... BIG BUT.. naacp COULD prevent a lot of them by reaching out, teaching values, giving the kids something to live for. I think the naacp don't want to be in those neighborhoods either.
61 agree | 55 disagree
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Cristina DeStefano- child of a victim. said:
A lot of these readers are not understanding the question because their answers are off topic. The question is about starting an investigation of the Baltimore City Homicide Unit due to cronyism.
58 agree | 60 disagree
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running into the fire to get YOU!!! said:
I see the police working first hand in OUR streets. It Is a JUNGLE out there in many parts of the city. They are doing a great job, and there is always room for improvement. The African Americans should distance themselves from this liberalized group, The NAACP, I see shades of racism in their thoughts and opinions that are just as insulting as they were when projected by those horrible white power groups. Lets move forward as human beings and leave the color of it all behind us, where it belongs!
56 agree | 47 disagree
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reader said:
They are doing an excellent job. Sometimes you have to look the other way.
69 agree | 52 disagree
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Examiner Reader: Ken said:
This is the problem. Years ago, and i mean, many, many years ago. Police were police..They were responsible for their area's and patroled their posts. the officers from years ago, were either military trained, or were tutored by military vets. The young officers trained under them, learned to do things the right way.Then we got all of these college educated police officers with their special programs, and their eagerness to become sergeants, Lieutenants, majors and above, so they could bark out orders. Never mind the fact that they never took the time to learn the job of policing. They just knew that they wanted to be of rank, so after two or three years they decided they knew all they wanted to know about being police, and took the exams, and then the police depts went to crap. Honestly, i don't think it will ever return to the way it was.... It's really sad, because it's the citizens who will suffer......
52 agree | 56 disagree
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An Examiner Reader said:
Even if Baltimore City would triple its police force, the violent crime would continue. This particular type of lowlife is not scared of the police because they know all about the court system and its lenient sentencings and the revolving door system in DOC. They laugh at all of that because they know there'll be paroled in a short time because of good behavior. They're criminals but they're not stupid. Apparently there isn't anymore death penalty in this socialist one party liberal state so the most they can get is life without parole and that's a laugh also. So, therefore, the nice citizens are at their mercy. Until the citizens band together and demand severe penalties nothing is going to change, the killings are going to continue, and it's going to get worse.
61 agree | 71 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The real problem in the city is the number of homicides, not the color or race of the homicide detectives. A second problem is what happens to homicide suspects who are charged with a killing. If Jessamy's office diesn't misplace evidence or plea it down to assault, then a jury often lets the killer off. When the rare occasion arises that a jury finds a defendant guilty, the penalty CANNOT be death because Jessamy's office won't ask for it.
56 agree | 54 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
To all of those who have a fault or see a fault with the homicide unit I suggest that you all become a homicide detective. They don't sit in offices all day long and answer phones. Maybe someone should talk to the mayor and see if there could be more funding for this any many more critical units of the department. Compared to many of the other local jurisdictions in Maryland, Baltimore city has the LEAST amount of taxpayers; thus, LESS funding for the critical things that are needed, i.e. more homicide det's. "Idle time is the devil's worshop," and then we are facing this issue of astronomical homicide rates. Find something constructive for these children to do and alot (not all) of the parents need to be parents! It all starts in the home people.
63 agree | 59 disagree
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Cristina DeStefano- child of a victim. said:
I am the child of a homicide victim in Baltimore City. I have been in contact with some of the detectives about my mothers case and I must tell you, they must have known someone to keep their jobs! I don't care who investigates them as long as changes are made. I can't even get a call back when I would like an update on status of the case. It's not just the homicide unit, it's also the cold case division. I only know what I've dealt with and what I know is that there is room for improvement. It doesn't really sound like a concern of the NAACP but I think they are on to something. Like another reader wrote "The problem is that idiots in this city keep killing each other." They DO have impossible jobs and I know they do what they can to exhaust every avenue. They point still remains that there is definitely a problem with the way they run.
82 agree | 58 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I think we have some very dedicated and experenced detectives in the homicide department. These are people who spend days at a time working with little sleep and without having gone home to their families. People must realize that the criminal element is more advanced in some aspects than the police are. For instance, they are carrying weapons with more power than the police. Put yourself in the shoes of an officer and realize that everyday you are fighting a WAR right here at home. If the Homicide unit needs to be investigated then every division of city government needs to be also. The police dept is doing the best it can with what it has. There are many officers who are truly trying to make a difference and can empathize with the law abiding citizens of Baltimore. Stop and think, when was the last time there was something regarding the GOOD that they do on the news or in the paper. Please don't let the reputation of a few tarnish that of many.
57 agree | 50 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The NAACP should look more into those killing each other. Homocide units come in after the fact, they aren't there to stop killings only solve them. The murder rate in Baltimore is beyond comprehension. Only the criminals are to blame.
80 agree | 59 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It's too big of a picture to pin-point one thing on one unit in a major corrupt environment. If I have 28 agents in the city trying to solve 300 cases. The number will not be good. If cases are not solved within 24-48 hours it becomes really tough. First of all good policing will change that by cathing the thugs and goons who prey on the city. Second of all when we do catch them we need a tough Baltimore City States Attorney Office that not being scared and bribed and ran by a Spinless Troll. She must have been a Goon at one time. Baltimore City States Attorney let tooo much stuff silde through. police began to quit because they see no light in making a difference. If I lock you up you may be on the street in 3 weeks and see me again and you may try to kill me when the states Attorney know you have a attempt murder jacket from eastside to westside. Finally Judges and Jury have to put these people away. You know they say "Time heals all wounds"
54 agree | 72 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Homicides climbing toward 300+. I think the timing is good for a shake up at homicide. Look for 400+ homicides next year. The NAACP shows NO OUTRAGE that it is so many young blacks killing so many young blacks. Look to your house NAACP.
56 agree | 75 disagree
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The Undertaker said:
The NAACP should be more concerned with lowering the actual homicide rate and not with this type of nonsense. The homicide unit isn't too bad. The problem is that idiots in this city keep killing each other.
64 agree | 67 disagree
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reader said:
They are in charge of the homicide unit in Baltimore city, They make the policy concerning certain race issues.
52 agree | 69 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
naacp, local chapter of the sharpton, jackson, et.al. race hustlers. i am entiteled to everything for free because i am black. boy is that old and tired.
62 agree | 58 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
With all the problems this city is facing, what a disctraction and insult this is to all the brave men and women in blue. With the increasing levels of violence, the rise in gang activities, witness intimidation, and the overall sympathic outlook on the criminal, it's amazing the Baltimore Police Homicide Unit solves anything. Now, on top of the difficulties faced by all detectives and police officers in Baltimore, add this to the distractions. The acusations made by the NAACP president should be insulting to every hard working police officer and detective and not just to the ones in homicide. The NAACP should be more vocal about the black on black crime. They should be more vocal in attempt to stop the violence. They should be more vocal in education and keeping kids in school. They should not be starting animosity which is exactly what it being done with accusations like this. I wonder why police officers lay it on the line for a city that shows no appreciation at all.
54 agree | 69 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Bring on the TV actors...at least they look the part of police officers!!
60 agree | 58 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
there are members of the homicide unit that should not be there and they need to go
63 agree | 55 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
the city homicide squad has an impossible task. an the people that work there should be there because they are qualified and dedicated investigators, not because of their color. once again the naacp puts race above qualification.
87 agree | 67 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Keep on hating on the NAACP...you all may actually do more to inspire more minorities to join and become active. The racism and bigotry on these forums is proof their is still work to be done.
71 agree | 60 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
When the NAACP actually starts focusing on making sure that young black men don't feel an insane urge to deal drugs, join gangs and murder each other rather than always making baseless accusations of racism, then they'll be relevant. Baltimore City has a majority black leadership, should non-blacks feel that is because of racism?
81 agree | 56 disagree
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D. Folio said:
The men and women in the homicide unit are good hard working cops, who by their work records are given these positions. The NAACP should use their time and resources to enable the young black males chances of turning their lives around ,stop the witch hunt.
82 agree | 57 disagree
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reader said:
Never heard of it . Sounds interesting.
78 agree | 71 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Those assigned to the Homicide Section are good cops and good investigators. Even those with a little amount of time on the job got here because they work hard. A steady decline in the clearance rate can be attributed to the lack of cooperation from witnesses, the family and community. Those individuals who contacted the NAACP have an axe to grind with the unit. Maybe they were thrown out for their lack of performance or lack of character.
81 agree | 78 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Whats a NAACP ? There was a group that sounded like that back in the 1960's they did meaningful work back then.
83 agree | 78 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I call for an investigation into the Baltimore chapter of the NAACP. These people are pulling the wool over the eyes of their constituents.
72 agree | 49 disagree
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