Police

“Honestly, but unreasonably”

Officer Gahiji Tshamba was found guilty of manslaughter. From the Sun: “He drew his gun when it was not at all necessary,” [Circuit Judge Edward R.K.] Hargadon said in court, finding that Tshamba lied about the incident and never identified himself as an officer. “The defendant grossly overreacted and in fact exacerbated this whole tragic set of events.” Yet Hargadon…

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Street Justice

Justin Fenton has a good article describing a killing and a revenge killing in Baltimore. It doesn’t provide the answers, but it does help clarify the picture as to why things are so damn F-ed up.

Police

Probation for Baltimore Officers

These were the two officers who stranded two 15-year-olds far from their home. They were not the first officers to do this. They may be the last. (My earlier post.) From the Sun: [Judge] Doory said the fact that Johnson was left in Howard County without shoes “stood like a monument” in the middle of the case and remained inadequately…

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Crime Down in Baltimore

Homicides in Baltimore dropped from 238 to 223, giving the city its lowest homocide rate since the late 1980s. Baltimore is now fifth in murders, after New Orleans, Flint, St. Louis, and Detroit. The Baltimore Sunhas the story.

Police

Memories of a Baltimore Crack House

One of the nice things about being a police officer is you can explore places that normal people fear to tread (or would get arrested if found). Back in 2001, I wanted a good view to conduct surveillance of a drug corner. So I entered this vacant building. This block has since been torn down. #1) 1900 Block of E…

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Were those the days?

It what might be end of a long (and glorious?) Baltimore police tradition, two officers were convicted of misdemeanor for picking up two 15-year-old boys and dropping them off far from home, one of them barefoot. The officers were acquitted of far more serious kidnapping charges. These officers were certain not the first police officers to pick up trouble-making youths,…

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“I am therefore ill-equipped to be her judge in this matter.”

David Simon on Snoop’s Arrest from the Baltimore Sun: What follows is a personal statement from David Simon, Creator and Executive Producer of “The Wire” (and currently in production on “Treme”). First of all, Felicia’s entitled to the presumption of innocence. And I would note that a previous, but recent drug arrest that targeted her was later found to be…

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Police

The Banana Boat Is In!

1905 Baltimore Harbor. To appreciate the details in the picture, you need to click here and then click on “full size.” I’m assuming this picture is taken from where the aquarium is, looking northwest. Anybody know?

Police

Balto Tow Scandal

More from the Sun: A federal grand jury has indicted 10 Baltimore police officers and two repair shop workers…. Only 10 officers who were charged last month are named in the indictment. Seven others named in the scheme remain charged in the criminal complaint. They could be indicted later, but not taking their cases before a grand jury is typically…

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