Explanation: Capitals indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* 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
Introduced by: Councilmember Burnett
A Bill Entitled
An Ordinance concerning
title
Quarterly Reporting of Criminal Citations
For the purpose of requiring the Baltimore Police Department and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, or its successor agency, and inviting the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City and relevant law enforcement, to appear before the City Council quarterly to report on the enforcement of specified citations; establishing certain reporting metrics and guidelines; defining certain terms; providing for a special effective date; and generally relating to the quarterly reporting of certain information related to the enforcement of specified citations.
body
By adding
Article 17 - Police Department
Section 4-1 to be under the new subtitle designation,
“Subtitle 4. Reporting Requirements”
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 17. Police Department
Subtitle 4. Reporting Requirements
§ 4-1. Criminal citations.
(a) Definitions.
(1) In general.
In this section, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(2) Bench warrant.
“Bench warrant” means an order issued by a judge to arrest an individual for failing to appear for a court hearing.
(3) Committee.
“Committee” means the City Council’s Public Safety and Government Operations Committee or its successor committee.
(4) Demographic information.
(i) In general.
“Demographic information” means data about the features or characteristics that define an individual or population.
(ii) Inclusions.
“Demographic information” includes an individual’s:
(A) age;
(B) race;
(C) ethnicity; and
(D) sex.
(5) Department.
“Department” means the Baltimore Police Department.
(5) Diversion program.
“Diversion program” means an optional course of action made available by the City to an individual cited with violating the Code, which, if completed, would eliminate the chance of prosecution of the individual for the same violation by the City.
(6) MONSE.
“MONSE” means the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement or its successor.
(7) Office.
“Office” means the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City.
(b) Reporting requirements.
(1) In general.
The Department shall collaborate with MONSE to compile and submit a quarterly report to the Mayor and City Council regarding the enforcement and disposition of the offenses listed under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection.
(2) Baltimore City Code - Offenses included.
(i) Health Article
Subtitle 5. Bodily Wastes
Subtitle 7. Littering
(ii) Article 15. Licensing and Regulation
Subtitle 17. Street Vendors
(iii) Article 19. Police Ordinances
Subtitle 13. Disorderly Drinking
§ 13-1. Prohibited conduct - in general
Subtitle 14. Drinking in Public Places
§ 14-2. Prohibited conduct - in general
Subtitle 25. Loitering - General
Subtitle 33. Minors - Alcoholic Beverages
§ 33-2. Purchase or possession by minor
§ 33-3. False representation
Subtitle 40. Unregistered Motorcycles and Similar Vehicles
§ 40-6. Driving or riding; leaving unimmobilized
Subsection (a) Driving or riding vehicle
Subsection (b) Possessing unimmobilized vehicle
§ 40-7. Permitting another to drive or ride
§ 40-8. Parents and guardians
Subtitle 47. Soliciting and Aggressive Soliciting
Subtitle 52. Taxicabs
§ 52-2. Providing taxi services without a license
(3) Annotated Code of Maryland - Offenses included.
(i) Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article
Division I. General Provisions Affecting Multiple Jurisdictions
Title 6. Forfeitures; Enforcement; Prohibited Acts; Penalties
§ 6-320. Disorderly intoxication
(ii) Criminal Law Article
Title 5. Controlled Dangerous Substances, Prescription, and Other Substances
§ 5-601. Possessing or administering controlled dangerous
substance
§ 5-602. Manufacturing, distributing, possession with intent to
distribute, or dispensing controlled dangerous substance
Subsection (b) Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
Title 6. Crimes Against Property
§ 6-301. Malicious destruction - generally
Subsection (c) Less than $1,000
§ 6-402. Trespass on posted property
§ 6-403. Wanton trespass on private property
Title 7. Theft and Related Crimes
§ 7-104. General theft provisions
Subsection(g)(2) $100 to less than $1,500
Subsection(g)(3) Less than $100
Title 10. Crimes Against Public Health, Conduct, and Sensibilities
§ 10-201. Disturbing the public peace and disorderly conduct
Subsection(c)(2) Disorderly Conduct
Subsection(c)(3) Failure to obey reasonable and lawful order
(4) Required data.
The report submitted under this section shall include the following information for the reporting period:
(i) the demographic information of the individuals who were cited, divided into demographic categories;
(ii) the demographic information for those individuals
who were warned, divided into demographic categories;
(iii) the number of citations issued in each police district and a
count by district of which citations were issued;
(iv) the number of warnings issued in each police district and a
count by district of which citations the warnings regarded;
(v) the number of citations issued by police district and a count of which citations were issued;
(vi) a count of citations issued by:
(A) the Baltimore Police Department;
(B) the Maryland Transit Administration Police Department;
(C) the Maryland State Police; and
(D) the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office;
(vii) the number of warnings issued by police district and a count
of which citations the warnings regarded;
(viii) the number of citations that were dismissed or nolle prosequi,
categorized by demographic data and police district;
(ix) the number of citations that were prosecuted, categorized by
demographic data and police district;
(x) the number of individuals cited who completed a diversion program;
(xi) the number of individuals cited who accepted community service in
lieu of prosecution;
(xii) the number of individuals cited who declined community service in
lieu of prosecution;
(xiii) the number of bench warrants issued for cited individuals who
failed to appear in court;
(xiv) the number of individuals cited who failed to complete or were
ineligible for diversion programs;
(xv) the number of individuals who were issued multiple citations;
(xvi) the number of citations and warnings issued during a special
event, including sporting events, festivals, parades, and block
parties; and
(xvii) the number of individuals who were charged criminally due to a
citation listed in this subsection.
(c) Time line.
The report required by this section shall be due to the Mayor and City Council on the following dates each year:
(1) April 15 for the January through March quarter;
(2) July 15 for the April through June quarter;
(3) October 15 for the June through September quarter; and
(4) January 15 for the October through December quarter.
(d) Public hearing.
(1) In general.
At the call of the Chair of the Public Safety and Government Operations Committee, the Department and MONSE shall appear before the Committee to present and discuss the report.
(2) Other relevant agencies.
The Committee shall extend an invitation to be present and comment at the hearing to the following agencies:
(i) the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City;
(ii) the Maryland State Police;
(iii) the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office; and
(iv) the Maryland Transit Administration Police Department.
Section 2. And be it further ordained, That this Ordinance takes effect on January 1, 2025.