Baltimore Becoming Bloodier as Police Take Softer Stance

Baltimore police are arresting fewer than half the number of people they arrested last year, the Associated Press said on Thursday. As a result, crime rates are soaring.

Last month, a man died while in the custody of Baltimore police. The death sparked protests and riots among Baltimore residents, and led to the criminal indictment of six police officers.

Now a rising number of police officers are afraid to enforce the law. Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said officers fear getting arrested for making mistakes on the job. He also said arrest rates are declining because of interference from residents. “When officers pull up, they have 30 to 50 people surrounding them at any time,” Batts said. Such interference makes it dangerous for a policeman to attempt arrests. The fearful police are softening their stance on the streets and criminals are running amok.

This month alone, the population has suffered 38 homicides. This is a major spike over the normal level, making it the deadliest month for Baltimore in 15 years. And there is still one weekend remaining. There have also been at least 91 non-fatal shootings so far in May.

Baltimore resident Antoinette Perrine said she is now “afraid to go outside.” She said it is so chaotic “people are afraid to let their kids outside.” She added that while police used to “sit on every corner” now there are “nowhere” to be found.