Hogan directs AG to prosecute more violent crimes in Baltimore
Hogan also wants MSP to increase the execution of high priority warrants for violent offenders
Hogan also wants MSP to increase the execution of high priority warrants for violent offenders
Hogan also wants MSP to increase the execution of high priority warrants for violent offenders
Gov. Larry Hogan announced he is directing Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh to begin prosecuting more violent crime cases in Baltimore City.
Hogan made the announcement during a visit at the UMAR Boxing Program in west Baltimore on Wednesday.
"I think the city is doing everything in their power. Look, this is not a normal situation. We're beleaguered, we're overwhelmed, we have more than 300 people being murdered every year," Hogan said. "If you take Baltimore City out of the state of Maryland, we probably have the lowest murder rate in America, but with Baltimore City, this is the highest murder rate in America. And while I'm not the mayor of Baltimore City, I'm not going to take over the job of the police commissioner or the prosecutor here, but we are going to do everything we can to assist them and back them up and keep the citizens safe."
In a letter addressed to Frosh's office, Hogan talked about violent offenders being released back on the street.
“Far too often in Baltimore City, violent offenders get a slap on the wrist and are released back out onto the streets to commit yet another violent offense," Hogan said. "Removing these dangerous high-level offenders from the streets is vital to our fight against violent crime."
In response to Hogan, Frosh said, "We have been hard at work on the crime problem in Baltimore. We have prosecuted hundreds of cases and are willing to work with the governor and the state’s attorney to do more, but we’re going to need more resources."
Hogan is also directing Maryland State Police to dramatically increase the execution of high priority warrants for violent offenders.
“The Maryland State Police and their law enforcement partners will be conducting a series of warrant initiatives targeting hundreds of high priority warrants for violent offenders," he said.
Hogan also said 10 MSP helicopters are now patrolling the air over Baltimore. Hogan said that if they detect criminal activity they will share the information with the Baltimore Police Department.
To view the full letter, click here.
"Since 2015 they've prosecuted in the criminal division of the attorney general's office 200 crimes, we're going to ask them to step that up significantly, this is going to be in addition to the work that the state's attorney does here in the city," Hogan said.
Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby responded Wednesday night, saying she did not hear from the governor before or after his announcement. Mosby said she's glad the governor has taken an interest in the violence in Baltimore.
"The one thing I can say is that out of my office it's not a tit for tat. Year to date we have a 92 percent felony conviction rate. Our no-pros numbers are down so I look forward to sitting down with the governor and talking about real solutions," Mosby said.
WBAL-TV 11 News reached out to the mayor and to Baltimore police for reaction to the governor's announcement and have not received a response.
This story will be updated.