RadioOnFire.com - Mayor Catherine Pugh released a multi-stage crime-fighting strategy in August, but the back-and-forth on Tuesday between the State House and City Hall seemed to signify growing frustration over the skyrocketing crime rate.
"I'm not sure what the mayor's plan is to fight violent crime is in Baltimore City," Gov. Larry Hogan said.
Hogan threw out tough criticism aimed at Pugh Tuesday morning over an issue that's put her on the defensive most of the year.
"We've discussed thoughts about what we should do, what she could do, what we could do, but I am not aware of any violent crime plan," Hogan said.
In August, the mayor released a 19-page violence reduction plan around the same time she appointed the new citi stat director to analyze crime data, and a new director of criminal justice to oversee the plan.
"This is urgent, everything we do, every single day is about making this city safe," Pugh said in August.
In a statement Tuesday, the mayor's spokesperson responded to Hogan, writing in part, "He knows violence reduction is the mayor's top priority. We are certain that if the governor has additional questions he will address them directly with Mayor Pugh."
Councilman Brandon Scott, who was highly critical over a lack of a plan earlier this year, said he's not totally satisfied with the current plan, but called the governor out of line.
"It just wreaks of politics to me that now, after all this time, after the hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of bodies, (that) the governor is now willing to step out and be critical, when actually the governor could do a lot immediately to help the city right now," Scott said.
Scott is calling for more involvement from Maryland State Police and more state-funded safety programs, while pointing out that the Baltimore Police Department is largely regulated by state law, which Scott wants changed.
"When you're talking about policing in Baltimore, the City Council doesn't have the power. It actually lies with the states and I hope the governor knows that," Scott said.
Hogan said he is planning to put together some crime-fighting initiatives.
Source WBAL
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