A Novel Approach on How to Address Crime In Baltimore by David Reel

Since last August, President Trump, Governor Moore, and Baltimore Mayor Scott have engaged in a war of words over federal intervention to address crime in Baltimore.

Trump has already deployed the military in Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Memphis. He wants to do the same in Portland and Chicago but that is currently on hold due to legal challenges.

Governor Moore has maintained that such deployments are unconstitutional and unnecessary.

Trump responded to Moore that he wants a military deployment to Baltimore as it is “out of control,” “crime ridden,” and is the “4th worst in the nation in crime and murder.”

Responding to Trump’s assessment of Baltimore, Scott said, “I don’t care what Trump thinks.”

Responding to Trump’s plans for Baltimore, Moore invited the president to visit Baltimore for a walking tour and to share his data showing significant reductions in violent crime.

When Trump declined the invitation, Moore said, “If you are not willing to walk our communities, keep our name out of your mouth. If you are not willing to stand with our people, keep our name out of your mouth.”

Trump fired back with a threat to accelerate his military deployment plans for Baltimore and withhold federal funds to rebuild the Key Bridge.

Moore then returned fire with a post on his personal X account, referring to Trump as “President Bone Spurs.”

There is a much better way to proceed.

Daniel Lurie is the mayor of San Francisco, California.

He has no political aspirations beyond improving San Francisco, has repeatedly refused to weigh in on national politics and, most importantly, has said, “I will work with anyone who wants to help San Francisco.” Lurie has not only said that — he has done that.

Last month, Mayor Lurie had a cordial and productive phone conversation with President Trump about addressing crime in San Francisco, especially the proliferation of illegal drugs.

Following his phone conversation with Trump, Lurie said, “I told him the same thing I told our residents – I will work with anyone who wants to help San Francisco.” Lurie also told Trump that he welcomes the city’s “continued partnership” with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal resources to get illegal drugs off the streets, especially Fentanyl.

Following the call, Trump announced he is putting a hold on a military deployment into San Francisco.

The time is now for President Trump, Governor Moore, and Mayor Scott to agree to the following rules of engagement regarding future discussions on how best to address crime in Baltimore:

1. Agree to an immediate and permanent ceasefire on their recent war with words.

2. Embrace Mayor Lurie’s approach to work with anyone who wants to help Baltimore.

3. Agree to more transparency and accountability on public funding to not-for-profit organizations.

None will be easy, but all are essential.

Implementation of transparency and accountability on public funding to not-for-profit organizations may be the most challenging.

Mayor Scott often characterizes Baltimore’s Safe Streets program, which is currently managed by not-for-profit organizations, as Baltimore’s “flagship” gun violence prevention program.

Others have challenged that characterization.

Ivan Bates, the State’s Attorney in Baltimore City, is currently considering a fraud probe over Safe Streets. Bates has said, “We wouldn’t have to do this if they just were transparent.”

He also has said, “I don’t know what Safe Streets is doing. They’re not helping us in any way, shape, form or fashion.”

Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen has also raised some concerns about how often the city contracts with not-for-profit organizations for city work.

Cohen has said, “When it comes to oversight, whether it’s the police department, whether it’s the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, or whether it’s Safe Streets: expect to hear the tough questions asked in this chamber [the Council meeting room].”

Governor Moore especially needs to reconsider his support for a plan to award $6.1 million to We Our Us, a nonprofit who will use the funds to “engage justice-involved youth in Baltimore City.”

Two experts in nonprofit accounting have said it’s unclear if We Our Us is capable of handling $6 million in public funds since they have not filed a nonprofit tax form since 2022.

The bottom line is residents of Baltimore and every other resident of Maryland are best served with the results of the leadership style of Mayor Lurie.

His leadership is working well in addressing crime in San Francisco.
It can work well on addressing crime in Baltimore, too.

David Reel is a public affairs and public relations consultant. He is also a consultant for profit organizations on governance, leadership, and management matters. He lives in Easton.