Bealefeld frustrated by crime
Yet another police-involved shooting brings out the anger in Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III. His cops had just shot a man who had shot two people near the District Court building in Brooklyn on Monday afternoon:
"People aren't getting shot with lightning bolts. These guys have guns in their houses, they load their magazines, they play with their guns, and people know it. In this city, where people getting shot in broad daylight, bad guys with guns have to go to jail. ... I don't know how much more action you could expect or demand from the law enforcement officers of this city."
The top cop has been trying for months to engage fellow citizens in his fight against crime and bad guys with guns. He doesn't just want witnesses to step forward; he wants people who know people who are about to rob or shoot someone to turn them in.
What he is saying is that if someone has a gun, someone else knows it -- a friend, a mother, an aunt, a girlfriend -- and they should step up. It's a daunting task, maybe even a quixotic quest, but one he needs to turn this city around.
Comments
"He doesn't just want witnesses to step forward; he wants people who know people who are about to rob or shoot someone to turn them in."
Ha ha ha!
Someone has to go out there and get the rent and pampers money somehow... don't they?
Posted by: MrRational | December 15, 2009 9:51 AM
Bealefeld is a visionary. Unfortunately, for him and us, Baltimore is not a visionary city. We must deal with crime on a gritty day-to-day basis, hoping to survive. No place for altruistic dreams here....
Posted by: ruth | December 15, 2009 1:15 PM
Maybe people will go out on a limb for Bealefeld when they stop withholding the names of officers involved in citizen shootings. It doesn't get much more hypocritical than that, in a city fighting a massive witness intimidation problem.
Posted by: Groundskeeper | December 15, 2009 2:49 PM
When the police commisioner is frustrated with crime, he should be fired. It is his job to get a handle on crime. Admitting that he is frustrated is admitting failure. He should resign 10 minutes after Sheila Dixon. Bring back Ed Norris, a cop who knew what to do about crime.
Posted by: steve in seoul | December 15, 2009 8:53 PM
How in the hell do you think the citizens feel, Mr. Commisioner?
Posted by: steve in seoul | December 15, 2009 8:55 PM