The Baltimore Police Department’s new Entertainment District Unit has made strides in addressing gun violence, with two arrests for handgun violations reported Friday night in Fells Point.
A 19-year-old was arrested in the 600 block of South Broadway, and a 29-year-old in the 800 block of South Broadway, according to Baltimore Police. This comes just a week after a woman was grazed by a bullet on the same block.
The department announced the new police unit last week, describing its mission as working “to enhance livability and ensure enjoyable experiences for residents and visitors in Baltimore’s most active entertainment zones.”
“The specialized unit will provide a high-visibility presence, focused enforcement and community policing strategies to reduce crime, address nuisance issues and strengthen partnerships with local businesses, residents, and city agencies,” Baltimore Police said in a statement.
District 11 Councilman Zac Blanchard, who has long advocated for the unit, said, “I think it’s the right move and I’m optimistic we’re going to see results.”
Baltimore Police reported that the EDU has seized five guns, made nine arrests, and issued over a half dozen open-container violations.
Betsy Smith, a spokesperson for the National Police Association, praised the concept of the EDU, saying, “It does something that we know in law enforcement can be very successful. And that is flood a certain area with police officers.”
However, she expressed concerns about the department’s staffing, noting that it is hundreds of officers short.
“Presuming the police officers on this new specialized unit are either working overtime,” she said, or being pulled from other areas where they are needed.
Smith warned that reallocating officers could lead to increased crime in less protected areas. “When you are possibly pulling those police officers from other areas, what the bad guys are going to do is just go to those areas that are less protected and possibly commit crime there,” she said.
Federal Hill resident Sandy Seward echoed these concerns. “People don’t even go out at night anymore,” she said. “They don’t want to walk to the park. Our business district does not service the residents of Federal Hill.” This follows reports of over 30 vehicles being vandalized in the area.
Smith also highlighted potential issues with response times and officer safety, saying, “If a police officer in one district is calling for back up but two of the police officers that would have been working, are now working in the entertainment district, that is a problem for police officer survival.”
While there is no current data on whether hold times have increased or if other areas have seen a rise in crime since the unit’s inception, Smith emphasized the need for a visible police presence citywide.
“You also need police officers on proactive patrol in all areas of the city, to act as deterrents,” she said.
Baltimore Police said the unit, which launched Aug. 10, would cover entertainment areas in downtown Baltimore, including the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill, Harbor Point and Fells Point. Officials said the unit will expand in the future to include Canton Square, casinos and Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium.
“The Entertainment District Unit is about more than just enforcement, it’s about creating safe, welcoming spaces where people can enjoy all the great things that Baltimore has to offer,” Police Commissioner Richard Worley said in a statement Thursday. “Through proactive policing and collaboration, we’re working to reduce crime, address quality-of-life concerns, while building stronger connections with our community and partners.”
Have a news tip? Contact Vincent Hill at Vihill@sbgtv.com.
