* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Cohen
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Informational Hearing - Theft of Cars
For the purpose of inviting the Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and representatives from the Baltimore City Police Department, the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, the Office of the Maryland Attorney General, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration, and the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services to engage in a discussion with the City Council regarding the recent rise in auto thefts throughout Baltimore City, including a discussion of options to prevent or mitigate such occurrences.
body
Recitals
Whereas, in recent months, incidents of automobile theft have been prevalent in Baltimore and across the United States.
Whereas, as of August 19, year-to-date carjackings have decreased 33 percent compared to the same period of 2022; however, auto thefts have increased by 224.6 percent in the City.
Whereas, as of May 11, 41 percent of all vehicles stolen in the City year-to-date were
manufactured by Kia or Hyundai.
Whereas, on May 11, the City of Baltimore joined other U.S. cities and filed a lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia for failing to equip their vehicles with industry-standard vehicle immobilization technology.
Whereas, on February 8, the driver of a stolen Kia killed Alfred Fincher, a pedestrian, and also caused a vacant building to collapse on North Avenue.
Whereas, on August 18, an armed carjacking escalated into the fatal shooting of Darrell Benner in Canton.
Whereas, these trends are extremely concerning, especially considering that most citizens who own cars in Baltimore City park in public spaces and are unable to protect themselves and their vehicles by parking in personal garages.
Whereas, increasingly, suspects and those charged in these cases are juveniles, and the City must find solutions to prevent youth from participating in criminal activity.
Whereas, it is imperative that the City works to prevent carjackings and grand theft auto to ensure the safety of Baltimore residents.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, that the City Council invites the Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and representatives from the Baltimore City Police Department, the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, the Office of the Maryland Attorney General, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration, and the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services to engage in a discussion with the City Council regarding the recent rise in auto thefts throughout Baltimore City, including a discussion of options to prevent or mitigate such occurrences.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Baltimore City Police Commissioner, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the Deputy Mayor of Public Safety, the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, the Baltimore City Sheriff, the Maryland Attorney General, the Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Administration, the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.