A Baltimore city council member says this weekend's deadly shooting happened in one of the largest open-air drug markets in the state. Now, the frustration over this ongoing problem and what's being done to stop it.
The shooting, which left a young mother and man dead, happened Saturday on Pennsylvania Avenue near Laurens Street in west Baltimore in the Upton neighborhood Saturday.
Police have not said what the motive was in that deadly shooting but community leaders, including city councilman Eric Costello, who represents the area, believe drugs are a significant source of what's fueling the violence seen in Upton. Costello calls the area a hotbed for open-air drug deals.
"Myself and other elected leaders have raised the alarm about that and we will continue to ask BPD to put the necessary resources in place," said Costello.
FOX45 News reached out to police Wednesday, asking what's being done about enforcement. Lindsey Eldridge, a spokesperson for the Baltimore Police Department responded, saying in part: "The Baltimore Police Department continues making arrests and going after drug trafficking organizations and dealers." She added, "narcotics arrests were up significantly in 2022, with felony narcotics arrests up 20% and misdemeanor narcotics arrests up 14%."