Crime, fear and stolen gift cards
Keith Biddle sent me this nice e-mail on today's article on the disconnect between Baltimore's lowering crime statistics and fear:
Your story on statistics vs perception was a good one until you got to the wedding theft part. Devoting over half the space to theft from a wedding card box diluted the piece. So one of their scumbag guests most likely heisted money filled cards? Someone should have kept a better eye on it. There doesn’t appear to be evidence that someone came off the street, at least none is mentioned. And in defense of the police, already dealing with multiple shootings, this would by all rights be a low priority. It’s a done deal, no chance they catch the thief. It’s an insurance case at best, the hotel or caterer may be liable, who knows. I don’t think it was a good example of Balto City crime, as there are so many others available each day.
Here's why I used this example: to me it shows how even a simple thing as a stolen gift card at a wedding can frighten people about Baltimore. It was an extreme case but it demonstrates all too well people's perceptions about this city and how much there is to overcome.
It might well end up that another guest stole the money, and that strengthens my argument that fear outweighs reality. I wrote about this particular case because it was a wedding, just the sort of event the city needs to attract, and it ended with people feeling bad about their city and their police. Even if their fear is unjustified (such as the police responded correctly and the theft was internal), it unfortunately becomes a black mark for the city.
And that is why we have so much work to do to not only make the city safer, but make people feel safer.
Comments
The cops should have gone to take a report immediately. Waiting till the next day is inexcusable and just adds to the victims' poor opinion of the city.
On the other hand, blaming the city and its residents for a crime that was likely committed by a guest? Come on, Caudills.
Posted by: Jackie | May 29, 2009 3:45 PM
crime is on the rise in these hard economic times. I attended the Caudill wedding and as far a I'm concerned the 1840's ballroom did'nt use very much common sense when tey placed the gift table near an exit door. In the past several days I have heard that this also has hppened at Martin's East, and several other reception hall. Crime is on the rise everywhere it seems. Take caution all you new brides.
Posted by: yolanda napolillo | May 29, 2009 6:12 PM
I wonder if this is caused by the effectiveness of the police driving down crime in "bad" neighborhoods with the consequence that some of the crime is pushed to "good" neighborhoods. While overall crime is decreasing, crime in places such as Mount Vernon, Patterson Park, Federal Hill, and the Inner Harbor is increasing. Even if the increase is incremental, the type of violent crime is so surprising that it creates the perception that crime is worse than ever.
Posted by: Frank Anonymous | May 29, 2009 6:39 PM
I wonder if this is caused by the effectiveness of the police driving down crime in "bad" neighborhoods with the consequence that some of the crime is pushed to "good" neighborhoods. While overall crime is decreasing, crime in places such as Mount Vernon, Patterson Park, Federal Hill, and the Inner Harbor is increasing. Even if the increase is incremental, the type of violent crime is so surprising that it creates the perception that crime is worse than ever.
Posted by: Frank Anonymous | May 29, 2009 6:39 PM
the sad thing is, there is so much violet crime, police don't have enough time to take care of the lesser ones. Jails are so full now that even serious criminals are allowed to walk out free in the custody of their "mother"like the recent case where a juvenile attempted to rob a store with handgun. As far as the so called "lesser crimes". like the wedding theft, brides who plan a wedding depend on the" common sense" of the "reception staff" who they are paying to advise them on security as well as everything concerning the reception. However, nowadays, everyone needs to look out for themselves, when it comes to your belongings or your safety. Lock up, don't trust anyone, and always look over your shoulder. Unless steps are taken to engage more law enforcement, and criminals are punished all crime will continue to rise everywhere. . What's there to stop it?
Posted by: don britt | June 2, 2009 11:10 AM
I feel bad for the Bride and Groom, this was their Wedding day, and they were so Happy and the day was ruined by a common "Theif" !! I also feel that the 1840's Ballroom and any other Reception Halls should keep all gifts in the room where the reception was held, not in a reception area, where anyone including the guest could have access to the gifts !!
This is the way of the world now, it's been this way for a while, you cannot trust people like in the old days, you have to watch out for yourself, since obviously no one is watching out for you even after you pay thousands of dollars for a reception !!! It's sad.
Posted by: Donna B. (Essex) | June 2, 2009 12:14 PM
Of course what happens at a wedding in downtown Baltimore affects whether people want to continue going into the city on special occasions. Why would anyone want to stay at the Carrollton Inn or the Marriot where some of the out of town guests stay for weddings.If you can "twalk around downtown and feel safe, what's point of out of towners visiting our city. stealing your purse or wallet or worse. Peter Hermann is right on!
Posted by: ed. brooks | June 2, 2009 4:13 PM
When I saw the headline: Crime, fear and stolen gift cards, I thought it was another City Hall story.
Posted by: Spotlight | June 3, 2009 12:08 AM
If police don't have time to deal with small crimes, theft, breakin's, shop-lifting, then these criminals will continue breaking the law and go on to worse crimes. In order to stop crime maybe we need to be a little more brutal. You see where all this new liberal way of thinking has gotten us? The criminals now have more rights than the victims. And the police go out with guns on their hips, but their hands tied behind their back. How can police officers do their job when the very people they are trying
to protect yell "police brutality"! If my son or daughter were caught commiting a crime and a policeman gave him a couple good whacks or kicks, he'd be doing be a favor. But that's the way things were done in my day. As far as going downtown to a wedding reception, forget it! I'll stick to the old fashioned weddings in fire halls and v.f.w's. Cheaper and safer!
Posted by: andy simo | June 3, 2009 8:10 AM