You Complained, The Spectator Spoke, City Hall Listened
by Wisdom Youth, Intern/Special Assistant to the Managing Editor
12 March 2009
(EARLY DRAFT -- be part of the process, email suggestions or corrections, or use the comments link below article)
After a fiery Baltimore Spectator editorial yesterday calling for a lawsuit against the City of Baltimore and the Baltimore Police Department, we learn the policy of not releasing the names of officers who shoot citizens is going to be revised per request of Mayor Sheila Dixon. The editorial written by Spectator Managing Editor A.F. James MacArthur was one of the most strongly worded along with a host of stories and editorials from the Baltimore Sun denouncing the "Secret Police" policy.
MacArthur was asked to comment on this latest development in the ongoing saga/feud involving differences between City Hall and the police department. "Having studied criminal justice at advanced level, along with years of practical field law enforcement experience, I was very disturbed to city police taking a huge step backwards."
In an article in The Baltimore Sun, reporter Justin Fenton quotes police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi echoing words first stated by MacArthur. "What works in the federal government, New York and Atlanta may or may not work in Baltimore." Guglielmi had frequently pointed to other jurisdictions with similar policies but seems to have conceeded that it may not be the best option for Baltimore.
When asked why he was so troubled and passionate in speaking against the policy, MacArthur added, "In this city we have enough trouble of the people not trusting the police. As time went on, with the recent marked increase in police shootings in Baltimore, the policy would have only served to further widen the gap between citizens and the police. The us versus them mentality is one often perpetuated by police, and it's bad for everyone."
No date or time table has been given for when a revised policy will be ready. The Baltimore Spectator will remain aggressively vigilant on this issue. When the "Secret Police" policy changes, Spectator readers will be among the first to know.
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Wisdom Youth is a student of Morgan State University. His role with MacArthur Media is more integral than can ever possibly be put into words. Mr. MacArthur would also like to publicly give credit to the Baltimore Sun and Justin Fenton for being a strong voice in opposing this policy and pushing for change.
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