Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young and Police Commissioner Michael Harrison have all embraced the idea of modeling the city’s policing style after Chicago. But when you look at the long list of problems both cities have had, such a move doesn’t add up.
Baltimore is looking for ways to lower its crime rate. Young and Mosby visited Chicago to learn about its policing strategies since crime has been dropping there. Now, the city wants to invest way more money into policing and surveillance to be more like Chicago.
But … the Windy City has a HUGE police problem!
To name a few of Chicago’s past issues: the infamous police murder of a teen then subsequent cover up that went up to the mayor’s office, court supervised reforms, the firing of the police chief, and HALF A BILLION DOLLARS in payouts over police misconduct.
Baltimore has had its own widespread police corruption problems, from police brutality to multiple cases of planting evidence and misconduct payouts of its own. So, it’s strange they would want to model themselves after Chicago, a city ALSO dealing with these issues!
Investing in policing doesn’t mean less crime, which research has shown repeatedly. Policing doesn’t need more investment. Community resources like healthcare, housing, and education do.
That’s a proven way to reduce crime and make us stronger.