Baltimore’s top prosecutor Ivan Bates plans to address quality of life concerns in the city with a new citation docket starting this month.
“From the time I was out campaigning the question people ask is when is something going to be done about the quality of life crimes. We’re doing it now,” he said.
Bates said it is a hands on approach that will improve the quality of life of city residents, and ensure consequences for those breaking the law.
For adults 18 years and older, citations will cover a multitude of offenses including several dirt bike charges, disorderly intoxication, loitering, aggressive panhandling, hacking, trespassing, CDS possession, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
A citation will lead to an initial court date and when arraigned those eligible will be offered the opportunity to complete community service and receive wraparound services like drug and mental health treatment.
If they don’t accept, the state will proceed with the case as normal.
“This is a small part of a bigger change that’s happening in Baltimore,” Mayor Brandon Scott said.
It’s a stark contrast from Bates predecessor Marilyn Mosby who stopped prosecuting crimes she considered low level in March 2021.
We asked Bates if her past policies are making his new plan difficult to roll out.
“That’s things we did think about,” Bates said. “At the end of the day the citizens have demanded we do something and individuals have to make a decision. I’m not in this position to coddle these individuals. We’re trying to get them help and if they don’t want help they’ll be prosecuted.”
Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said the plan is not about mass incarceration or aggressive policing, but admits low level crimes have been a problem.
“We get complaints all the time from members who live in this city from every neighborhood,” he said.
Now, his officers are being trained and prepared once again to do something they haven’t done in a number of years.
“You hear officers complain, because they get those complaints from the citizens and officers are constantly meeting with certain members of the community who tell them they expect certain things to be done,” said Commissioner Harrison. “They don’t want to see certain things in our community and it’s been a challenge to keep our officers both inspired and motivated to do the job in spite of the fact we had a policy change we had to make and now we’re in a position to do something different.”
Citations will be issued starting June 12 and the first docket is scheduled for July 17.