* 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 Conway
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Informational Hearing - Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
For the purpose of inviting the Director of the Department of Planning, the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, the Commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department, the Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, the Acting Director of the Department of Public Works, the Director of the Department of Transportation, the Chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department, the State's Attorney for Baltimore City, the Sheriff for Baltimore City, the Chief of the Baltimore City School Police, the Director of the Department of General Services, the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks, and the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Performance and Innovation to appear before the Baltimore City Council to discuss ways that the City can prevent crime through the concepts utilized in the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design model.
body
Recitals
Between the years of 2015 and 2020, Baltimore City experienced approximately 2,000 homicides, 3,800 non-fatal shootings, and over 4,000 fatal overdoses. An evaluation of crime statistics produced during that time frame shows a recurring pattern of violence in specific segments of the Western, Eastern, Southwest, Northwest, and Northeast police districts. In each of these districts, the communities that have experienced the highest rates of crime are the same communities that have been subject to disinvestment for generations as a result of 20th century discriminatory housing policies.
As the City works to chart a new path forward by focusing on violence through a public health lens and utilizing tools such as the Group Violence Reduction Strategy to help reverse the six-year surge of crime that has occurred, there must also be a focus on the locations and environments where these incidents are happening and the policies that contribute to these longstanding problems. A model that has been used throughout the United States and internationally to accomplish that objective is the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (“CPTED”) model. The premise of this model is that crime can be prevented by conducting an evaluation of the total environment in order to reduce the opportunity for crime.
In practice, CPTED is a multi-disciplinary approach of crime prevention that uses urban and architectural design and the management of built and natural environments. CPTED strategies aim to reduce victimization, deter offender decisions that precede criminal acts, and build a sense of community among inhabitants so they can gain territorial control of areas, reduce crime, and minimize the fear of crime. This is accomplished through the evaluation and implementation of the 6 CPTED concepts: Image/Maintenance, Natural and Physical Surveillance, Territoriality, Access Control, Activity Support, and Target Hardening.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Council invites the Director of the Department of Planning, the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, the Commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department, the Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, the Acting Director of the Department of Public Works, the Director of the Department of Transportation, the Chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department, the State's Attorney for Baltimore City, the Sheriff for Baltimore City, the Chief of the Baltimore City School Police, the Director of the Department of General Services, the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks, and the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Performance and Innovation to appear before the Baltimore City Council to discuss ways that the City can prevent crime through the concepts utilized in the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design model.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Director of the Department of Planning, the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, the Commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department, the Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, the Acting Director of the Department of Public Works, the Director of the Department of Transportation, the Chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department, the State's Attorney for Baltimore City, the Sheriff for Baltimore City, the Chief of the Baltimore City School Police, the Director of the Department of General Services, the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Performance and Innovation, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.