Well done, Officer Rogers! “An officer was actually on this block on another call and actually heard the shots being fired, said T.J. Smith, Baltimore City Police Spokesman. “That officer gave pursuit.” How often does that happen? And what exactly happened? An edited and shortened version of the bodycam footage had been acquired by WMAR, which made me go, “damn!”…
Just came across this gem, that happened back when I was on the street. It’s community policing, with an Eastern District twist. While going around the block and stopped at an intersection (321 Post), two boys, 10-to-13 years old, come up near the window of my car, and one says to another: “give me the money.” “How much?”I ask. “$50”…
The third of three little remembrances of my policing days. There’s been a lot of talk recently about a so-called “Ferguson Effect.” I don’t know. It’s certainly possible. Even probably, I would say. There’s always been disincentives in the police world to actually doing any work, especially from those who see police as a force for bad. But you can’t…
Baltimore, December 9, 2000: We get a call for disorderly on Somethingleaf Court. Turns into an armed person. Housing won’t take it. Man is there as promised. We get there and I frisk him. [Officer C] has his gun out. No gun. The guy said he gave this woman $20 for “you know, whatever”. He said he has “relations” to…
A few times, if I was working late enough or some church started extra early enough, I would go to church to say hello. Personally I’m a non-believing Greek Orthodox. But there’s something about a good black church that can’t be matched. Some Sunday mornings I would just sit outside, just to provide a little security. (And also to enjoy…
Maybe you were too busy blocking traffic into the city to notice, but this past weekend 32 people were shot in Baltimore. Nine were killed. (as usual, click to embiggen) This past weekend. In Charm City. With just over 620,000 people. Meanwhile, from April 25 to May 23, this past month, 122 people were shot or killed in Mobtown. Last…
I had a dream last night that I was back walking foot patrol in the Eastern District, south of Monument St. It was hip and happening! There were cool restaurants and clubs and even a nice museum. Everybody on the street was telling me, and I quote, “It’s like the next Berlin.” I was loving my job. And then I…
“…The spaghetti with brains is mind blowing.” Sure, it’s not the funniest quip ever, but I said something like that while guarding the crime scene of a 12-person shooting back in 2001. What else are you going to do? Have a moment of silence? I miss the laughs from the job. Non-cops may not understand cop humor, which is often…
Yesterday an Eastern District sergeant, Keith McNeill, was shot and very seriously wounded. My thoughts go out to him, his family, and all those who know and work with him.