Governor Larry Hogan unveiled a crime plan, $150 million to boost funding for police across the state, a dramatic increase in local police aid salary increases, hiring bonuses and millions to motivate witnesses to come forward.
But all that was also included along with sharp words for Baltimore city.
“The city of Baltimore is a posterchild for the basic failure to stop lawlessness," said Hogan.
Amid calls for cuts to police budgets Hogan said he will re-fund the police across Maryland as he also called out Baltimore city leadership for failures on crime control.
“There’s no question that the failure to prosecute crime in Baltimore city is a major problem. It’s why we have so many repeat violent offenders shooting people on the streets of Baltimore city," said Hogan.
"Violence in Baltimore requires real partnership, deep collaboration," Mayor Brandon Scott told FOX45 News Saturday.
"When you think about the work that we’re doing around diversion and doing all these things, that’s what we need, not finger pointing," said Scott.
"I would like to say thank you to Governor Hogan for his commitment to fight the rising crime," said Maryland State Delegate Kathy Szeliga.
Szeliga calling it disappointing that "politicians criticize proposals, funding to actually address crime," in a city with a homicide rate on pace to surpass 300.
"Homicides again reaching a new level people are being killed this is serious the violent crime going on in Baltimore is heartbreaking and it’s time that politicians stepped up and did something about," she said.
On the other side of the aisle there was a very different take on the Governor’s message.
Maryland house speaker Adrienne Jones said in part:
"The Governor’s misguided rhetoric of "refund the police” is beneath him and the dignity of his office.
The house stands ready to have an open and honest conversation about improving policing and reducing crime in the state once there are real ideas - not rhetoric."