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Grand jury urged 50 percent drop in arrest rate
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - A report from a grand jury convened to investigate the “lack of confidence” between the Baltimore City Police Department and the community, has been ignored, city leaders said.
The report, released in March with little fanfare, recommended a 50 percent cut in the number of arrests that do not result in charges by the end of this year.
State Del. Jill Carter said the findings of the grand jury address many of the problems that plague the city’s criminal justice system.
“The jury was asked to find out why jurors don’t trust police officers,” she said. “The report gets to the heart of what is going in the city,” she said.
Among the findings in the report was that 97 percent of Baltimoreans said they do not know the police officers who patrol their community.
The report also said that the number of people arrested in Baltimore compared to other jurisdictions such as Prince George’s and Montgomery counties was “overwhelming.”
The jury noted the toll the city’s arrest rate has taken on the city’s black community, finding that 21,172 blacks were arrested but not charged in 2005, a statistic that the report concluded was “bordering on violating a person’s constitutional rights.”
Marvin “Doc” Cheatham, president of the Baltimore chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said the report only confirms his view that the city’s alleged arrest policy is not productive.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the very negative affects that nonexpunged arrest records are having on men in general, and African-American men in particular,” Cheatham said.
Spokesman Matt Jablow said the police department makes a concerted effort to build goodwill in the city.
“We have numerous programs that foster good relationships with community members: Get Out of the Game [a program that finds legal employment for former drug dealers], safe zones, [Police Athletic League] centers, among others,” Jablow said. He also cited numerous meetings with community associations.
The jury also recommended that people arrested who are not charged should have their records expunged automatically within 30 days at no cost rather than having to pay a $37 expungement fee.
Frank Conaway, clerk of the court, said the report is an important barometer of how the community feels about the police department.
“The grand jury is very important,” Conaway said.
“It’s supposed to be a cross-section of the opinion of the community.”
sjanis@baltimoreexaminer.com
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Examiner Reader said:
I am sorry that happen to you what's this world really comming to. We need jesue.
2 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
That's clever. Ban BB guns and Paintball Guns (which look nothing like real guns), but don't ban replicas. Hell, REAL guns cost less than most paintball guns....so why in the hell would anyone use a paintball gun to commit a robbery?
9 agree | 6 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The only CRIME that has been solved in San Carlos is The FRAUD and EMBEZZLEMENT BY THE MAYOR ...
383 agree | 9 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I remember you fondly, Jennifer Morelock. You had a good heart, and it lives on in your daughter.
13 agree | 9 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
if you sell them guitars i will buy them for 2000
11 agree | 11 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It amazes me that the D.C. Jail is still up and running. With all of the deaths, suicides, and unsanitary conditions...it should have been torn down years ago. How many strikes will these C.O's and other officials have to get before something is really done about it?
15 agree | 15 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I see some investigations starting at City Hall.
17 agree | 16 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
We'd just pried this Republican sleazebag from her fixation on the public teat last year and whaddya know, she's back again in yet another job for which she is wholly unqualified. One dirty hand washes the other.
20 agree | 15 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
yes outlaw toy guns i mean if your going to get robed you want a real gun pointed at you come on people its a way for (most) people vent there anger
15 agree | 15 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
no he should not be able to get his job back.. what does that do for the justice department....he did the crime and should suffer for what he did... he was aware of what he was doing.....then he used the money on pointless things................ if he gets his job back thats going to open doors for other people to do the same thing.....just to say if he wouldnt have gotten court who knows he might still be stealing money today.......
18 agree | 19 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
A more truthful explanation of this man's death is from witnesses who saw from their own houses. After the man was beaten at the house he was at the cops jumped on him, he was seen on the ground being kicked by officers before his death. The police refused to let the ambulance drive to the scence, which was waiting there before his death. The medics were forced to run about a whole block with their equipment and the stretcher. Too sad, the cops beat the man to death and get away with it. As for the ladder part of this story, I was there myself to see.
129 agree | 114 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Until 6 months ago, the Taraval Station, which covers 1/4 of San Francisco, had 0 cops on the street. I guess a 6 billion dollar city budget only allowed enough officers for the desk jobs. However, kudos to new Taraval police captain Chignell for recognizing the crisis and rapidly hiring new officers.
142 agree | 122 disagree
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scout said:
Simple solution, don't hire women for police officers and don't hire girlie boys as police officers. Secondary solution is that we need intelligent but aggressive police officers in combination with fear of God, with the additional ingredient of getting rid of commie and girlie organizations that protect criminals and weaken police. But I guess I'm dreaming.
120 agree | 138 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
all three men found guilty and will be in jail for life this man is dearly missed by 10 grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren plus a large number of friends
232 agree | 152 disagree
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Ex-Corrections officer said:
Yes, I fee that Ed Norris should be able to get his job back, he got the job done and reduced crime. O'Mally took kick backs he just didn't get caught. Then he snitched on Norris.
147 agree | 160 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
will there be a follow up on the story of the dad charged with the killing baby. the article was written on march 2nd 2007. thank you
160 agree | 159 disagree
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Breanna said:
Where did you catch them at?
174 agree | 187 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Thats my brother i thank the people who found him and i miss him very much i love you Zack!!!!
295 agree | 212 disagree
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kyle toronto said:
the 11 year old rides my bus she said that if her mom got a divorce with her da he's kill her/beat her
260 agree | 263 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Vernon Brown's sentencing trial is next week. Why hasn't any reporter found out why the pair of cousins were trying to rob the store in the first place, what would drive two grown men to the point of no return. no one cares why people commit crimes, just what happened and who died. then its on to the next death. When will journalist dig further to uncover the horror that must be happening in young men's lives that motivates them to go to such lengths. Rest In Peace LeArnold Jones. We love you.
277 agree | 290 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
What are the cops doing in this city? We need to be more proactive where drugs and violence are concerned. They know where drugs are being sold.There are so many police cameras in this city. The drug peddlers have just moved to a street where ther is no camera, but they are still out there. For instance in Park Heights on Hayward ave between PArk heights and Reisterstown Rd everyday you see drug dealers lining the street corner every block 2 by 2 selling. It is outrageous. And worse than that there is police precinct less that 3miles away. Sometimes I think the some cops are being paid by some of these drug dealers to turn a blind eye. Something better needs to be done and it can be done, it's not rocket science. We have brilliant heads in our government let's get them working together and get things done. We can be more and do more in Baltimore. very concerned resident of B'more.
309 agree | 315 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It is unfortunate that nobody knows what is happening, and the citizens of this city are suppose to trust their elected officials. It is shameful that more isn't been done to combat the drug and murders in our city that can be great again.
387 agree | 311 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
We lost our uncle on saturday oct,20,in the seccion of white marsh,fernando rodriguez, hispanic male 33 years of age,light skin complecion,large mouth,short salt & pepper hair,carrying a new iphone, and driving a 1999 toyota sienna,light gr with penn plates any whereabouts of him or the minivan please contact your local police
462 agree | 354 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
how can we the people help ed norris get his job back he was railroaded .i think hes one of the good gys.others have done alot worse and didnt get as much as ed norris did.
441 agree | 326 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The judge in this article, has placed four children, that I personally know of, if homes with abusive fathers over a loving home with their mothers. He is racist and a misogenist. May he burn in hell for the children's lives he has destroyed, he cannot make it up to them by his "good works" for "Voices for Children".
392 agree | 331 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
In this article it doesn't seem to mention that he held a gun to the girlfriend's head and was going to kill her dad. He also told the girlfriend he was going to kill himself. WOW let's just leave out what mom doesn't want you to know.
376 agree | 316 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
In this article it doesn't seem to mention that he held a gun to the girlfriend's head and was going to kill her dad. He also told the girlfriend he was going to kill himself. WOW let's just leave out what mom doesn't want you to know.
351 agree | 354 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
What was the name of the judge who sentenced the molester! Let's make sure he isn't re elected!!!
442 agree | 380 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
so why not charge him with that murder too
431 agree | 398 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If they were to keep up with data entries, they wouldn't be able to get funding for being 'over-run with crime'.
572 agree | 396 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I would be very interested to know how the police determine a "false report" for allegations of sexual assault/rape. 40% is a very high percentage, compared to the rest of the nation. Why can't they release what evidence they have that makes this a false report.
461 agree | 403 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It would be a wonderful thing if DNA evidence leads to an arrest and prosecution in Eileen Kelly's murder. Her parents are elderly now and they deserve a resolution. Please keep me updated.
594 agree | 398 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
This case is gone and dead. The Jeweller will get away, he has already started a boombing jewellery tv channel chain in U.S, Germany and U.K and put it all in other peoples names. He has protected himself, now the law will be running after his shadow.
757 agree | 461 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I am Steven Ellison mother. I have pictures to prove the police beat Steven to death. Lt. David Waltemeyer must not have seen my sons face. They beat his face and other parts of his body.
1,063 agree | 469 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
arrested five men for allegedly stealing beer and food from a Harris Teeter on Glebe Road ? QUILTY 1st? Take this article off.
1,339 agree | 505 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
man thats not fair!!!!!
1,698 agree | 552 disagree
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