Little Italy crime
My article today about the Little Italy crime meeting has brought several responses, and many conspiracy theories that I can't rehash here but certainly left my head spinning, and reminded me of some old-timer that we sorely miss for their antics.
Some people objected to the article's tone; my goal was to write about the issue as a neighborhood drama, which I believe it is, instead of another neighborhood crime story that is the same no matter the setting.
This reader felt my attempt failed:
ID YOU WRITE THIS NEWS ARTICLE? WERE YOU AT THIS MEETING? GIA HAD MANY MANY RESIDENTS THERE TO SHOW THIER FEAR OF CRIME IN LITTLE ITALY.MANY WOULD NOT COME FOR FEAR OF RETALIATION FROM MOES SUPPORTERS. I KNOW THAT GIA HAS CONCERN FOR BRINGING ATTENTION ABOUT CRIME HERE AND WHAT EFFECT IT COULD HAVE ON ALL BUSINESSES HERE IN LITTLE ITALY. DID YOU INTERVIEW ONE INTERESTED RESIDENT ABOUT THIER CONCERNS? NOT IN THE ARTICLE PRINTED IN THE SUN OCT. 22. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? ARE YOU SAFE ? IS THERE FEAR? AGAIN I ASK YOU WHO WROTE THIS ARTICLE? HAS YOUR EDITOR READ IT? IF NOT PLEASE SHOW IT TO HIM/HER ALONG WITH MY RESPONSE. I am an 81 YEAR OLD RESIDENCE AND CONSIDER IT A COMPLIMENT TO BE A GADFLY
I did talk to resident and as I stated in the article, I believe the fears of crime are real. And I also believe residents have legitimate complaints against some of the restaurants and other establishments. But there's also a constant tussel between old and new, between tavern owners and residents about patrons and what they do when leave the bars, an issue that is repeated over and over across the city.
Behind the scenes of the legitimate Little Italy complains is a orchestra of animosity, factional in-fighting, disputes between bar and restaurant owners over perceived favoritism from city officials, whether the crime issue itself is overblown or a real problem. I think it's a real problem but in danger of becoming lost in neighborhood disputes.
Giovanna Blatterman has a long and tangled history in Little Italy. But she did stand up and openly confront an issue that many others hide from. She put her name out there and the fact she had been robbed inside her home. Baltimore police sent me a copy of the police report today and its below if anyone wants to read it:
SUSPECT
JAMES LEWIS
DOB 07-19-65
Central Complaint Number: 092J02408
STATEMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE
On 05 Oct 09 at approx 2110 hrs., I responded to [deleted] S. Exeter for a B&E that had just occurred. Upon my arrival I spoke to Giovanna Blattermann who stated on 05 Oct 09 at approx 2110 hrs she entered her residence (the above location) and observed a black male wearing a gray/green jacket going through items in the dining room area.
The suspect, later identified as James Edward Lewis Jr. (B/M DOB 7/19/65), then turned toward her. At this time, Ms. Blattermann observed the suspect was holding a knife in his right hand and what appeared to be a dark colored unknown caliber handgun in his left hand. Ms. Blattermann immediately ran back outside to the front of the location and began yelling for help and called 911 via cell phone.
A neighbor, [deleted] (W/M DOB12/1/73), heard Ms. Blattermann calling for help and responded to the location. At this time, the suspect exited the dwelling via the side gate and fled on foot headed southbound in the 300 blk. S. Exeter. [The neighbor] pursued, also on foot. Another neighbor, (W/M DOB 5/11/63) arrived on scene and this time and observed [neighbor] pursuing suspect and heard Ms. Blattermann yelling, "that's him, that's him."
He also began pursuing on foot. At 700 E. Pratt St., the neighbors confronted the the suspect. The suspect then lunged at [neighbor], cutting him on the left side of his face with an unknown sharp object. The suspect once again fled headed westbound won foot.
Suspect was apprehended by Ofc. White-Graves along with Central District officers and placed under arrest in the 100 blk of N. Front St. Shortly after a gray/green wool material jacket was recovered at Albermarle and Duker by Ofc. Fasano (Unit 2135). Two watches, which were reported stolen by Ms.Blattermann, were recovered from the front right pocket and submitted to ECU. The suspect, Mr.Lewis Jr., was positively identified by Ms. Blattermann. Crime lab (Unit 5832) was notified/responded processed 310 S.Exeter and photographed injuries sustained during the incident to [neighbor]l.
All events occurred in Baltimore City, State of Maryland.
STATEMENT OF CHARGES
...did break and enter the dwelling house of GIOVANNA BLATTERMAN, located [deleted] with the intent to commit theft in violation of CR 6-202 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Comments
One question about the police report. Under the statement of charges there is no mention of the stabbing. Is this because it was considered a separate event, human error, or under reporting?
Posted by: Ted | October 22, 2009 2:19 PM
Honestly Peter, the tone of the article seemed very unprofessional to me. It read like you were caught up in the neighborhood gossip yourself and couldn't resist taking repeated shots at Ms. Blatterman, thereby reducing and belittling the serious concerns of Little Italy residents. Someone getting their face slashed by an armed assailant is a serious problem. Someone getting shot on the street is an even more serious problem. I neither live in Little Italy nor know any of the people involved, save perhaps for John Pente whose dog I used to stop by and pet when dining down there, but I commend them and Ms. Blatterman specifically for standing up for their neighborhood. Little Italy has remained a nice neighborhood in a city filled with tragic falls of areas into crime and disrepair. These residents should be commended and helped in their cause. Not belittled by an apparently jaded Baltimore Sun reporter.
Posted by: Patapsco Jones | October 22, 2009 6:24 PM
Below is my favorite post... So what about Gia's motives, she just had her home invaded by an armed robber and our neighbor was stabbed helping catch the crook, pretty extreme stuff and for you to give as much weight to the owner of Mo's comments makes it seem like you weren't even at the meeting. Trust me his supporters weren't supporting by boycotting, that Peter is wishful thinking... Getting to the truth is easy, check out Mo's this weekend...
The gentleman who wrote this article is neither a resident, a restaurant owner, or a business owner of Little Italy, so systematically he does not need to concern himself with our community. The main reason the meeting was called was to discuss the continuing crime issue we are experiencing. Ms. Blatterman was fearless in confronting those who have perpetrated our neighborhood for years. Mo's has been a nuisance in Little Italy for 21 years. I would like to ask those who operate Mo's where they live. Would they like to have their restaurant as their neighbor? I think not. Those of us who gathered together last evening want to address the crime issue head on and immediately! Good job, Giovanna! It takes guts to call those who disrespect our community to the carpet! Brava! To the reporter, you are to be fair and impartial. This article reflected neither. After reading your article, I thought, "was that guy at the same meeting I was." Next time stay home or report the truth.
Posted by: john | October 23, 2009 7:37 AM
Thanks for posting details of the complaint, Peter.
Some research of the suspect's record yields a bit of a back story, though admittedly not one I would expect to lead to an armed, brazen burglary. Was James Lewis in the area because of the homeless service providers increasingly concentrated north of Little Italy? The suspect apparently lived in Park Heights until being locked up for a month earlier this year and thereafter associating himself with the address of Our Daily Bread on Fallsway.
The details:
After breaking into Giovanna Blatterman’s house, James Edward Lewis, Jr. was arrested in the 100 block of N. Front Street, aka the church lot at E. Baltimore and Front St. recently cleared of permanent homeless camps, but persisting as a homeless hangout.
September 9, 2009 - Case #1B02033424 District Court for Baltimore City
Lewis was issued a criminal citation for having an open alcoholic beverage on the street. Home address listed was 725 Fallsway (Our Daily Bread/Christopher’s Place)
June 11, 2009 When the suspect apparently was living in Park Heights - Case #0B02018709
Second Degree Assault landed Lewis in jail for a month.
November 6, 2008 Case # 2B01958742 – Open container criminal citation
August 27, 2008 – Case # 4B01977889 Trespassing
Feb 21, 2003 – Case # 2B01501355 Possession with intent to distribute
Posted by: Brett | October 24, 2009 9:28 PM