This is a disaster for Baltimore, the southern district will go back to hell, Bloodsworth fought hard against bars and drugs, and he will be missed in Mount Clare. The major should up the pot to retain this guy, we need him. Agnes Welch, were [are you] in this get out and call for his stay?

Cover Up, Cover Up, Cover Up

WOW!! This is terrible for the city! Major Bloodsworth was everywhere, he worked all the time. I think the Mayor should accept his retirement and hire him back as a consultant so he can be compensated the way he should be for being such an outstanding leader. He has helped the Southern District, yes outside of Federal Hill, so much it is truly hard to measure. Enjoy retirement Major, YOU have truly earned it...

"Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III offered him his old job in the Southern District back, and asked that he take some time to think about it."

Bloodsworth sez he "was recently offered the opportunity to return as a commander in the Detective Division."

Did this stellar performer somehow misunderstand the Police Commissioner when he offered to reinstate him to a post Bloodsworth professes to have loved?

The comment in his statement refers to the initial move to Special Investigations, not the subsequent offer to go back to Southern. - JF

Scott will be missed, but it's politics as usual in Charm City. In her effort to turn Federal Hill into Bourbon Street North, SRB wanted Bloodsworth's head to garner favor with the bar owners and their deep pockets. Bealfeld willingly served it up. If O'Mouthy's puppet doesn't get elected, a new mayor just might appoint a police commissioner with some backbone.

I really don't understand why a member of the Locust Point Civic Association would make calls to City Hall asking for Bloodsworth oust. For the last 2 months Locust Point has been the rare Baltimore neighborhood that has had almost no crime. Locust Point is 1.5 miles away from Cross Street and the activity in that area has no impact on the neighborhood. This doesn't make sense, unless there is something going on we don't know about.

No one I spoke to for this report, including people who did not end up getting quoted, can substantiate it or thought it had much merit. But with other sites reporting it as fact, it's understandable that it's hard for to know what's what. - JF

@Biscuit - Lauer is a fundraiser...follow the money.

I live right around the corner from Colleen Martin Laurer, she is a big time fundraiser, and a member of The Locust Point Civic Association, has been involved in underhanded deals such as the developement of SILO POINT, in which the community was totally against. She has uses her influence to do whatever she pleases...She also doesn't really do for much or spend much time in the commmunity. Most of us in the community have stopped attending meetings, and the community festival because, The LPCA is a non-inclusive group, and although Colleen Martin-Lauer denies this, it has her name written all over it! Remember again she is a Political Fundraisng Consultant! Perhaps Officer Bloodworth is supporting the wrong person for Gov.

Talk about a place in disarray, when our people going to realize that the current commissioner is just devastating to the agency, first he has decimated the patrol division in favor of his plainclothes stormtrooper units (VCID). What does that tell you when you constantly see the turnover and attrition that effect the BPD.

I don't know why everyone is automatically saying cover-up. He was asked to move into a high profile position, presumably because of his successes in southern, and in some ways a promotion, and people think he was forced out by bar owners? I don't follow....

I've never heard anything but great things about him. He DEFINITELY wasn't forced out by bar owners. Bar owners have no power, believe it not, most of us are poor.

@ LP Resident-Lifer - Spot on! Scott supported the residents he was sworn to protect and not the carpetbaggers peddling alcohol to self-absorbed twenty-somethings. He refused to play politics. I wouldn't be surprised to find out the boy-governor has his fingerprints all over the situation.

@ Kulesz - Those who know Scott know that he wanted to stay at Southern. That high-profile position is a doomed no-win situation. Bealefeld stuck a knife in his back and then twisted it for good measure with the "promotion". Even McComas characterized the transfer as "getting thrown out".

I am in agreement with Locust Point Lifer, I live on Hull Street and guarantee you Colleen Martin Lauer has something to do with this, she has pulled some very snaeky stunts, as far as the developers goes, it is really sad, the lIfe long residents of Locust Point are treated like outcasts, by the newer residents, who only include people like themselves in their group, and wonder why not ony do they get the amount of volunteers they want, but people have stopped attending meetings, I stopped going to their fesitivals in 2006, it's not like it used to be and they are so unfriendly and full of themselves, they don't even announce in their elections in the newsletters anymore...It's the same very small group of people, and they don't tolerate oppossing point of views, they also will not allow lifer's on the board, they want the volunteers, but everyone I have talked whom have tried to give them a chance has said the same thing, they are non inclusive.....and rude to the people whom have lived here all their lives! It's sad none of this developement would've have happened if Locust Point hadn't kept our neighborhood so nice...It's just really sad, it makes me want to cry!

What's going in with Officer Bloodworth, is terrible, and I do believe Colleen Martin Lauer and the Locust Point Civic Accociation have lots to do with it....They are a very intolerant group of people, and of course Colleen isn't going to admit to anything..It wouldn't be the first time she and that group did something underhanded,this is just really sad! Well, I haven't been to any meetings, or their festival since 2006, I have lived on Hull Street all my life...They are just a small handfull, but they do not treat this like a community, and not one of them are nice to their neighbors, at least the majority of us whom have lived here all of our lives..It's sooo sad, they are very mean, and inconsiderate group of people, the way they have treated a couple of really good friends of mine just infururiated me...They don't even announce when there are going to be elections anymore, they just keep switching positions, and it's the same group always, and they don't want any lifelong residents on the board, they have prooven it time after time!

I heard the same thing about Lauer. Interesting thing about her is who she fundraises for: O'Malley which ties her directly to Rawlings-Blake (whom I believe she is the fundraiser for as well-?). Her connections alone have the capability of making this happen. I think that the bar owners were upset at no prior 'heads-up' and said something to her and this was what was done. Retribution-sad and low. But I must say,kudos for Jack Young and his people for not playing ball and doing something a little un-orthodox here, I am beginning to like him. (Cn't blame him for the snakes slithering in and poisioning the situation). Good for you Mr. Fenton for covering this story, our city deserves it, truth matters. And for of those that have personal interests over this city's interest, I pray that the wind is in your faces at hurricane forces every step of your re-election run!
Play politics with politicians-get the heck out of our PD. That goes for you too Lauer! We all know what you are and how you pull your cards. Hopefully when your people loose you will move out-of the state!

Thanks for the kind words, but I didn't say the Lauer portion of the story had any merit. Since it gained so much steam among the community already, I offered Ms. Lauer the chance to confirm or deny it, and both she and the hospitality association said it was rubbish. It's important to note that the bar owners wound up supporting Mr. Young's bill, so I'm not sure how this gets chalked up to bad blood over that issue. JF

Maybe because you printed it, JF?

That was the dilemma. I didn't want to spread a rumor but it seemed like it was out there and just about everyone had heard it. I figured I was doing a service by at least reaching out to those involved and seeking comment. But perhaps not. -JF

Things would not be said, and people not be so quick to believe this if Colleen Martin Lauer hasn't done thing so underhandedly in the past, she is not someone who can be trusted, and I wonder how her name just got automatically pulled out of the hat...??? It really isn't even a common name, of course she going to deny it, she'a a very underhanded person....

@tomato head - That makes sense, and if so poor move by Bealefeld, as now he has a high profile position still not filled, and disarray in one of his districts that has all in all not been a problem for him.

I understand you didn't say it had any merit JF, I certainly wouldn't want to put you in a bad spot on this as were very clear... I should have said that I personally believe that there is merit to the rumors. She will clearly deny them when asked so until then, no confirmation is possible. As other's have said she has pulled her cards before. This may not even be about the bar walk at all. Maybe it’s about a power trip downtown, who ever really knows in this city. All I know is that I am sick of people pulling their power cards in Baltimore! We have bigger problems to worry about then a bunch of people that like to show who they know and people downtown obliging hand over foot to their every request. From here on out I say when this stuff happens (and it is not in the best interest of the community), find out who they are associated with downtown and vote the other way! We have the power this election year. Stop the nepotism that has crippled this city for too long!

I find this string of postings quite disappointing for several reasons. First, JF, you have not only done a disservice to the community, you have failed to uphold the standards of your profession by publishing rumors that you admittedly cannot verify. And just because you believe something does not make it true.
Second, is there even a question? I have not seen anything from Maj. Bloodsworth saying that he was forced to retire. Nor have I seen any other evidence of any "cover up."
Third, many of the writers of the above comments seem more intent on attacking Colleen Lauer and the Locust Point Community Association. Some claim that Ms. Lauer has acted in "underhanded" ways, but they supply no evidence. On the other hand, I do have evidence of some of Ms. Lauer's recent activities. A week of so ago, Ms. Lauer and other members of the Locust Point Community Association were in Latrobe Park -- in the heat -- working on the flower gardens. Where were the writers of the above comments? And by the way, I know that this was not the first time these people were working to keep up their community. I see no reason to believe anyone who spends their time attacking other members of their community, but have no time to support their community. No ONE person owns a community. The fact that you have lived somewhere all your life is not impressive; the real question is what have you done to support or community.

Here's the issue: that rumor was so pervasive that it, prior to my report, community members were demanding a meeting to discuss it and were successful - next Wednesday, Bealefeld and Chief of Patrol John Skinner will meet with community members at 6 p.m. at the Southern District station to discuss this very topic. It was also being reported as fact by one website, and the another repeatedly alluded to it by claiming Bloodsworth was "forced out" and quoting community members who, without explaining why, said they were concerned that the move was political. I sought to actually reach out to those involved and get a response. Either way, with the call for a meeting and the meeting itself next week, there was ultimately value in trying to discern what was what. -JF

This guy works his ass off. He came to community meetings. You could talk to him about everything going on n your neighborhood. The man was well informed and a street walker. The gangs are going to finally take over South Baltimore. I think the Mayor should go along with the commissioner. We are becoming Chicago!

I can assure you there is proof colleen martin-lauer is underhanded - she uses her relationship with bill cole to get exclusive things for only herself, and also used the murder of the locust point resident recently for her own personal gain.

trust me - everything said about her is true. her shady relationship with baltimore elected officials should be investigated further - she uses her position of power for constant personal gain.