* 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: President Rawlings-Blake
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Warrant Apprehension Task Force - Request for Maryland State Police Assistance
FOR the purpose of requesting the Secretary of the Maryland State Police to deploy 15 State Troopers to aid the Warrant Apprehension Task Force in furthering its mission of reducing violent crime in the City by apprehending and removing dangerous criminals from City neighborhoods and respectfully urging the Governor to support this request for emergency assistance to protect residents, visitors, and workers in Baltimore City and the surrounding jurisdictions.
Body
Recitals
When the Warrant Apprehension Task Force was created in 2001 to target the comparatively small number of criminals believed to be committing the majority of crimes in the City there were 104 law enforcement officers assigned to the unit. Task Force members included law enforcement personnel not only from the City, but also from Baltimore, Howard, and Anne Arundel Counties, the Maryland State Police, the FBI and the U. S. Marshall's Office.
While the emphasis of the Task Force was apprehending violent criminals in Baltimore City, it was expected that, in addition to driving down the City's high murder rate, the multi-jurisdictional approach would reduce crime in the entire region by targeting city fugitives who cross surrounding jurisdictional boundaries to continue their criminal activities and further the financial gain of their various criminal enterprises.
Since its inception, the Warrant Apprehension Task Force has lost 25 staff positions. The 79 positions that remain are held by 43 Baltimore City Police Detectives, 22 Baltimore County Police Detectives, 4 Maryland State Police Officers, 1 Howard County Police Officer, 6 Parole and Probation Agents and 3 U. S. Marshalls.
Although their number has been significantly reduced, the Task Force had it's most successful year in 2006, serving 10,311 warrants. Their efforts rid the streets of 129 persons wanted for murder, 103 for shootings, 2059 for felony warrants, and 8259 for warrants for varying misdemeanor offenses.
Despite the valiant and tireless efforts of the Task Force, 40,000 warrants remain unserved in Baltimore City. As has long been recognized by law enforcement experts, it is most likely these criminals who repeatedly re-offend - removing them from our neighborhoods would greatly contribute to the reduction of violent crime in Baltimore City. The assignment of 15 Maryland State Police would greatly enhance the Warrant Apprehension Task Force's ability to achieve that very desirable result.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body hereby requests the Secretary of the Maryland State Police to deploy 15 State Troopers to aid the Warrant Apprehension Task Force in furthering its mission of reducing violent crime in the City by apprehending and removing dangerous criminals from City neighborhoods and respectfully urges the Governor to support this request for emergency assistance to protect residents, visitors, and workers in Baltimore City and the surrounding jurisdictions.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor, the Mayor, the Secretary of Maryland State Police, the Baltimore City Police Commissioner, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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