BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Avis Williams has lived near the Rosemont Community apartment complex in West Baltimore for 30 years, but last week’s quadruple shooting there has led her to one conclusion: It might be time to move.

“It used to be working people lived in those apartments,” she said, pointing to the parking lot where police say a 22-year-old victim died Thursday. “Things have changed.”

Those sentiments were echoed by prominent Baltimore defense attorney Warren A. Brown, whose Spanish-style Ashburton house’s backyard pool became a murder scene this month when a Jeep crashed through his house’s wall. The Jeep’s driver, Dwight Baker, 35, was shot in an attempted robbery Aug. 26, lost consciousness and crashed through the wall and into Brown’s pool, police said.

“It’s just insane,” Brown said. “I’m thinking that the county might be a safer refuge.”

Brown’s and Williams’ neighborhoods experienced violence this month as 23 more people became homicide victims in Baltimore City, bringing this year’s murder count to 210. Police have solved 70 of those crimes, meaning 33 percent of this year’s homicide cases have been closed.

If the pace continues, the city will tally 315 homicides this year.

That rate dwarfs other major East Coast cities.

Per 100,000 residents, Baltimore’s murder tally is at 33 murders this year. For comparison, Newark N.J.’s murder rate per 100,000 residents is 24; Washington D.C.’s 23; Philadelphia’s 19; Boston’s 8; and New York’s 4.

“Boston is outraged, and they have around 40 murders,” former Baltimore Police Commissioner Edward Norris said. “If we cut our murders by 50 percent, we’d still be ahead of most other cities. ... We should view this as a state of emergency.”

Faced with that murder rate, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon in July forced the resignation of then-Police Commissioner Leonard Hamm, replacing him with his deputy of operations, Frederick Bealefeld.

Bealefeld is now one of two finalists for the police chief’s job should Dixon win the mayoral election Sept. 11. The other candidate is former Washington, D.C., Police Chief Charles Ramsey, Dixon spokesman Anthony McCarthy said.

Since Bealefeld’s start date on July 12, there have been 42 shootings compared with 68 through the same time period last year, city police spokesman Sterling Clifford said.

Seizures of illegal guns also have increased by about 30 percent since July 12. Police have seized 297 guns this year, compared with 229 during the same time last year, Clifford said.

Additionally, Bealefeld has begun to throw departmental resources — 60 officers each — at the city’s Eastern and Western Districts, where violence has been intense.

“... They are targeting the hours where violent crimes occur,” Clifford said.

Since July 24, those 120 officers have executed 106 search warrants, made 1,500 arrests, including 100 juveniles, and seized 45 guns, and $189,000.

The Eastern District has experienced a 20 percent decrease in homicides, and the Western District has recorded a 60 percent decrease in shootings compared with the previous month, Clifford said.

Despite some improvements, those running for mayor say not enough is being done.

Del. Jill Carter, a mayoral candidate, blames the murder rate on “failed leadership.”

“Sheila Dixon is hoping this murder crisis will be a dirty little secret until she gets elected,” Carter said.

“She’s diverting attention about a new police commissioner when she should be declaring a state of emergency. Two hundred ten people lost their lives under her watch. She believes we’re making progress. How in the world can she believe that? She’s terribly apathetic about this crisis.”

McCarthy called that statement “foolishness.”

“This mayor wakes up in the morning and thinks about how to make Baltimore safer,” he said. “She goes to bed with homicides, shootings and crime stats on her mind. It appears to be working. The citizens are telling her they’re standing with her.”

Whether the crime strategy is working, victims’ families and friends say the killings are too painful and want them to end.

“I still see my brother in my mind every day,” said Lavar Williams, 25, whose brother Lorado, 27, a popular boxer and martial arts coach, was gunned down during an attempted robbery Aug. 6. “That was my big brother and I miss him.”

Norris points to structural problems, including housing, education and health deficiencies in the city, which saw major crime reductions when he was police chief.

At the Rosemont Community apartments, where police were continuing their investigation into the quadruple shooting, those structural problems were all too familiar.

“Some kids get hit, and they come back with guns,” said Shirley Watson, 32, who lives in the neighborhood. “They need to give these kids something to do.”

Staff Writer Stephen Janis contributed to this article.

lbroadwater@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

9:53 AM MST on Wed., Sep. 5, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader said:
that has to be the dumbest comment i've EVER read. Dixon,s had 20 years. Dixon is a DISGRACE.

27 agree | 8 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

9:13 AM MST on Tue., Sep. 4, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader: said:
nobody can blame mayor dixon for all the crime happening. And you have to give her time, to correct it.

11 agree | 14 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

5:51 AM MST on Tue., Sep. 4, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader said:
Er, 9:29 pm, is right to a certain extent. I respect Jill Carter who is quoted in thie article because she put herself in the same boat as the poor people by camping all night on the street corners. That's doing a lot more than just riding past the hungry and the homeless.

13 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

11:24 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader said:
thomas, i agree with you, both dixon and mitchell are crooked. mitchell says he'll get more police, but we need more than that. besides, with mitchell, we might get more police but we also get more lies

20 agree | 8 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

10:05 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

thomas said:
Dixon is a crooked leader. She cant run the city, crime is soring while the police dep is shrinking. We need more police and less lies.

20 agree | 6 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:29 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader said:
There's a million hungry and homless people out here that the politics ride pass everyday on their way to work and not think twice about saying oh we own this abandoned building let's make a shelter for the homeless, or a recreation center for the children, or let's feed those who aren't able to feed themselves. This city is to wealthy for all the poverty and we you have hungry people with wants they'll do any and everything to get atleast satisfaction if that means taking a life, or robbing an elder person, whether it's to survive, join a gang, or just to beable to say they did something they'll do it. You can't judge people until you've walked in their shoes nobody knows what these people are going through and no that doesn't give them the right to crime, and jail does't help that makes them think of worse ways to survive when a person can take another persons life they need help so instead of throwing them in jail to help themselves how about getting them the mental help

15 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

8:35 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader said:
The city needs the right leader to inspire and mobilize the people. Dixon and Mitchell couldn't inspire a drunk cheerleader. I think the solution liesi n electing the right mayor. I believe Carter would offer the city the greatest possibility to get on the right track.

15 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:37 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Inside Baltimore�s murder rate"

IT said:
Although it is difficult to blame any one elected offical for the crime in Baltimore. Years of failed policies whether in the school system, city services and policing erode public confidence. The current group of politicans (Mitchell, Dion & Harris) fail to provide a critical analysis of current problems as well as provide realitics strategies that can be implemented on the community level. New police commisioners, new school CEO's and other appointments do not reduce crime or the perceptions of crime. It will take progressive thinking, community mobolization (poorest comunities in the city) and innovative partnerships designed to address crime, underemployment, poor/failing schools and mindset of hopelessness. Finally, at some point the community will have to get "sick and tired" of the carnage.

12 agree | 9 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:30 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

johnn said:
dixons people need to stop lying, the acting commisioner has done nothing to stop the murders or crime,dixon knows that and scince he has been in office there has been more murders.dixons people need to stop trying to fool the public.her appointed commisiomer is no good at all

16 agree | 8 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

4:58 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Inside Baltimore�s murder rate"

Examiner Reader said:
Maybe we should hire some teachers, too, to teach you how to spell.

67 agree | 10 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

2:17 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader said:
Surely the murderers are to blame for the shameful shape of this dump city, however, the "good citizens" are also t blame. You folks let this kind of behavior rule your lives. If you're scared, hire a cleanup crew to eraticate any and all threats to the decent folks, since the police cant or wont do it.

7 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

2:07 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader: said:
The problem is these criminals should not be back on the street... the police are locking them up why are they back on the street.

15 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

2:07 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader: said:
The problem is these criminals should not be back on the street... the police are locking them up why are they back on the street.

17 agree | 9 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

2:04 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader: said:
no one can blame the mayor or the police commissioners, who have come and gone.

6 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

1:59 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader: said:
meybe we should be hireing warren brown to work on our side then.

6 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

10:29 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader said:
Why are you talking to Warren Brown??? Ask him how many murders he represented that he got off in trial!!! If you want to know about the problem, look no further than the meaningless legal system that high price defense attorneys have exploited using the "CSI" Defense. Baltimore deserves everything it is getting cause the CITIZENS continually say "not guilty" making it not a punishment to do a crime...

18 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

10:22 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader said:
911 is anonymous!!!! A future for all children should be the incentive to turn in the drug dealers. Job training, rec centers, accessible day care programs, etc. People do not want to be on drugs or welfare, they want jobs, education, health and wealth, drugs are not the way. Jail is the way, wake up Baltimore!!!

16 agree | 6 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

10:12 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader said:
I believe the children are our future, no matter where they live. Give them something to do is an understatement. Give them money to turn in the dealers are our only hopes for a good future, it is a dominoes effect all coming stemming from drugs!!!!

6 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

8:35 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader said:
We also need to worry about the next generation of street thugs ! We need to stop them before they get started !

16 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

8:23 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader said:
There can be no crime "solution" without removing criminals permanently from the streets. Whether that is life imprisonment in a harsh labor camp or the death penalty does not matter. What matters is that the revolving door must be stopped cold. A small minority of criminals are causing the vast majority of crime because they know with absolute certainty that the liberal system of "catch, "rehabilitate" and release" lets them get off easy and quickly. Since felons have the right to vote restored to them, they can choose soft on crime politicians and guess which party they choose greater than 95% of the time? I prefer to belong to ANY other party than the one violent criminals prefer.

10 agree | 6 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

8:04 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader said:
It's okay. Remember, O'Malley and Dixon are in charge.

4 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:59 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Examiner Reader said:
Read the article. It's clear. Baltimore needs Jill Carter for mayor and Ed Norris for Police Commissioner. And don't give me that "Norris is a crook" argument. You elected O'Malley and are thinking of electing Dixon and Mitchell, if Norris is a crook, they are all career criminals! Stop being stupid Baltimore, get rid of that old, worn-out shoe, Sheila Dixon and the whole bad crew.

12 agree | 8 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:16 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Reginald said:
G-Boy you have said it all! Why keep going down the same dead end path when we should be exploring new roads with a different view to get where we need to be. A safer, cleaner and more respectable city.

11 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

5:20 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

G-Boy said:
What is it going to take to get the residents of Balt City fired up and start cleaning house?I love how Dixon attacks Mitchell about being on the Council for so many years and doing nothing.Correct me if I am wrong Ms. Dixon but weren't you on the same council before you became the mayor un-elect?Look folks, nothing is going to change in that city until people start waking up, stop being led down the primrose path by the same do-nothing politicians, and start fighting for change.Mitchell, Dixon, Rawlings-Blake...all the same people.You are a priority to them only when it matters.They do not care about you.You need to stand up and stop the cycle of politicians running your lives.We have created a monster in this country, the Political Machine, and we either don't have the passion or the knowhow to stop it.We need to get back to our roots and stop electing fourth and fifth generation political families who know NOTHING of real life and the struggles of real americans.

15 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

4:40 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Irate Taxpayer said:
The police departments claim that they are reducing crime is just smoke and mirrors and grandstanding for City Hall. Chief Bealefeld's strategy seems woefully inadeqaute as do his leadership abilities in this crisis situation.

7 agree | 6 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

1:18 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Baltimore City�s murder rate called 'insane'"

Beaman said:
Baltimore's crime problem IS a State of Emergency! Many of us go to bed at night and wake up thinking about crime, murder, and safety. The mayor should be doing more. She should have done more by now. How could she be this bad and incompetent and be elected? The city will have a major exodus if this character wins.

20 agree | 7 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate