* 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 Branch
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Informational Hearing - Eye Pledge
FOR the purpose of inviting the Police Commissioner and community leaders from the 13th District to appear before the Council to discuss the establishment of a pilot partnership between the Police Department and the community to improve neighborhood conditions through the - Eye Pledge - campaign.
body
Recitals
Even in the most violent and troubled neighborhoods the positive people trying to build a life for themselves, their families, and their community far outnumber the bad elements holding the neighborhood back. But the greater visibility and aggressiveness of the small number of troublemakers can make it feel difficult for everyday people to work together to make positive changes.
In the 13th District, some are working on a new effort � the �Eye Pledge� campaign � to make it easier for local residents to overcome this problem and work more effectively together with each other and neighborhood police officers to improve the community.
Participants in the campaign would sign a pledge with the following 11 specific promises:
A. I pledge to keep my property clean.
B. I pledge to watch my neighbor�s property if I am home and report any unusual activity to the police.
C. I pledge to report any illegal loitering in the neighborhood to police.
D. I pledge to get a police block watcher�s number.
E. I pledge to support the community association group of my community.
F. I pledge to work along with my neighbors to bring positive changes to the community.
G. I pledge to respect all government employees and expect the same in return.
H. I pledge to report illegal dumping of bulk trash/debris to 311 or to the district Councilmember�s office.
I. I pledge to write down a description of what someone wears and/or drives if and when a crime is being committed and report it to the police.
J. I pledge to report the color, description, and location of illegal dirt bikes and drivers to the police.
K. I pledge to allow the police to challenge anyone loitering on my property or vehicle.
This pledge would be signed by the property owner or renter, as well as the neighborhood service police officer for the district, and a representative from the district�s Councilmember�s office. Participants would then be given a distinctive decal to display on the outside of their property as well as an opportunity to provide the names of people who should legitimately be on their property.
The benefits of the �Eye Pledge� program would be twofold. First, community members would be able to look around and see a visual reinforcement of the fact that most of their neighbors were indeed dedicated to the same beneficial goals as they are, and that they are not alone in trying to uplift the community. Second, the criminal element in the area would get a very visible message that they are not welcome, while community police officers would get a valuable tool they could use to disperse loiterers without having to involve residents in a confrontational discussion about whether or not a person not listed as approved for a property is actually supposed to be there.
The �Eye Pledge� campaign would be a partnership between the community and the Police Department that could make a real difference. But in order to succeed it will need widespread support in targeted communities as well as effort and understanding from engaged community based police officers. Discussions of the concept and how it could best be implemented in an open and public hearing before the Council would be an important momentum building step for the �Eye Pledge� effort.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Council invites the Police Commissioner and community leaders from the 13th District to appear before it to discuss the establishment of a pilot partnership between the Police Department and the community to improve neighborhood conditions through the �Eye Pledge� campaign.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Police Commissioner, and the Mayor�s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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