City Council President Statement Re: Dixon Criminal Case

By now you've probably heard the breaking news that several of the criminal charges against Mayor Sheila Dixon have been dropped. One of her co-defendant's City Councilwoman Helen Holton saw all of her charges dropped. Below is the full text released just moments ago (1505 hrs) from the Office Of The City Council President

STATEMENT FROM COUNCIL PRESIDENT STEPHANIE RAWLINGS-BLAKE REGARDING COUNCILWOMAN HOLTON AND MAYOR DIXON

Today, I was very pleased to learn that all the charges against my council colleague Helen Holton were dismissed. As the legal matter has now been appropriately resolved, Councilwoman Holton will return to service as Chair of the Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee. My prayers are with Mayor Dixon as this difficult case continues. The remaining charges must be answered as part of the legal process in the court of law. Now it is time to let the lawyers do their jobs, and the City Council will remain focused on doing its job—making government work for the people of Baltimore.

Baltimore Muder, Impact On The Family -- Original Hardcore Video Montage **WARNING, DISTURBING REAL AUDIO FROM CRIME SCENE**

ANOTHER Baltimore Shooting -- Behind The Scenes Look

**SPECIAL NOTE** Video contains highly emotional, potentially disturbing sound and visuals. The crying heard in the video actually took place continuously for many hours. It being continuously heard in this short clip is by no means exaggeration. Chilling and disturbing yes. A glimpse of reality in Baltimore, for sure! I have been in touch with the family of Martie Williams Jr., even prior to the event. The production and release of this video was done with the full knowledge and support of his family.

With apologies to the family, the name Martie was misspelled in our haste to finish production and release the video to help get the story out, per your wishes. Your cooperation and accessibility has been truly appreciated and I too grieve along with you. This loss, like any loss of human life is a tragedy. -- A.F. James MacArthur, Executive ProducerFamily Member Of Larry "The Celebrity" Cab Driver Shot, Dead

With great sadness I inform you of the shooting death of Marty Williams Jr., a young man, early 20's, a relative of my on air co-host, real life friend, and all around great guy Larry "The Celebrity" Cab driver. The shooting occurred around 9:00PM Saturday night. Information is spotty right now. Officers on the scene refused to speak to us, and the Public Information Officer has not responded. Stay tuned to the Baltimore Spectator as we do our best to keep you informed on a situation that sadly, has hit way too close to home.

Larry, hang in there, we'll all say a prayer for you and your family. -- A.F. James MacArthur & T.R. Mencken

developing....

FLASHBACK: One Reason Not To Celebrate -- VIDEO

A Desperate Department -- Baltimore Police And Baltimore Sun Team Up To Mislead

Talk Of Crime Decline Is Premature And Shows Desperation

By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L.

It's way too early to say one word about a decline in crime. WHAT A FREAKING JOKE! Any appearance of making headway can be wiped out in less than 30 days. In this town, a sudden spike in crime is not unheard of. Hey guys, why don't we slow down a bit on celebrating, we're only five months into the year.

With officer morale low, and public perception of the effectiveness of the Police even lower, Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld and his Baltimore Police Department has been under a continuous barrage from all sides. When you're being attacked and cornered, you become desperate. And desperation is just what we're seeing right now.

To speak about crime being down compared to a year ago is totally meaningless. A sham! In a city with more violence than most, what's there to brag about? So instead of a shooting or two every couple of days, NEWSFLASH we got three shootings TODAY, and it's not even noon yet! (see more on three shootings so far today). I guess with all my cries for transparency in government, I'm finally getting my wish. I can see right through this phony PR move! Now that's clear!

There's been so much violence lately. The now bankrupt Baltimore Sun, our once venerable little local newspaper, can barely keep up. After reducing their newsroom staff to a skeleton crew, there's simply not enough reporters to rush out and dig into these stories. With less serious reporters around, a few things could slip by and no one would know.

Have we really become that naive that we no longer B E L I E V E governments engage is cover ups and misleading actions? Seriously folks! We're not in Kansas anymore. Hell, even there they're probably doing it too!

A recent above the fold headline boldly states crime is down? How can we say this when day be day the tally grows? The final count isn't in. There are dead bodies found with causes undetermined, there's a ton of unreported crime, officers not taking reports, and so much more. Can we at least wait till the end of the year before we take account of where crime truly is? At least then if there's a reason to celebrate no one will accuse you of being a lush for breaking out the bubbly.

I suppose desperate times call for desperate measures. And a desperate man with a department in the doldrums will be quick to embrace a so call decline in crime. Even if it is farce! Commissioner Bealefeld is coming near the max life expectancy of a Baltimore Police Commissioner, so understandably, he wants to keep his job. Positive headlines in the paper are helpful. Sadly, our local daily diary was all to willing to lend a hand.

Prisons Close Due To Lack Of Criminals (TRUE STORY)

With U.S. Prisons Overcrowded, Other Countries Get By Without Massive Arrests

In this country, especially here in Baltimore, crime strategy seems to be built around making as many arrests as possible. Has it worked? We'll explore this in the near future. Popular wisdom would have you believe if there's lots of arrests, it must be because there are a lot of criminals. Since we arrest more people in this country than just about any other place in the world, we should be just about free from crime by now.

Do we just have so many criminals, or is something seriously wrong? The issue of failed crime strategies centered around high volume arrests is one we will explore in great detail in the near future. Meanwhile, check out this eye opening story from the Netherlands about laying off prison guards and closing down prisons.

Crime Decline Continues

Let us all sing songs and celebrate, Baltimore Police and The Baltimore Police are saying crime is down.

From This Mornings Police Twitter;

SHOOTING: Reported @ 15 S. Eutaw , adult male shot multiple times

Shooting: Reported @ 1101 W. North Av, adult male shot. Police investigating

SHOOTING: Reported @ 1306 ROUNDHILL RD-ADULT MALE SHOT IN THE UPPER BODY

Maryland Millionaires Missing -- Taxpayers Flee OmalNomics™

Governor O'Malley And Baltimore Sun Bashed By Wall Street Journal

OmalNomics ™; n. failed economic policies of socialist in training Governor Martin O'Malley, leading to dramatic reduction in state tax revenue and increased burdens on the middle class.

From the Latin word mal, meaning bad, and nomics being a short for of economics. 'O', as in Oh My God He's Ruining The State!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maryland couldn't balance its budget last year, so the state tried to close the shortfall by fleecing the wealthy. Politicians in Annapolis created a millionaire tax bracket, raising the top marginal income-tax rate to 6.25%. And because cities such as Baltimore and Bethesda also impose income taxes, the state-local tax rate can go as high as 9.45%. Governor Martin O'Malley, a dedicated class warrior, declared that these richest 0.3% of filers were "willing and able to pay their fair share." The Baltimore Sun predicted the rich would "grin and bear it."

One year later, nobody's grinning. One-third of the millionaires have disappeared from Maryland tax rolls. In 2008 roughly 3,000 million-dollar income tax returns were filed by the end of April. This year there were 2,000, which the state comptroller's office concedes is a "substantial decline." On those missing returns, the government collects 6.25% of nothing. Instead of the state coffers gaining the extra $106 million the politicians predicted, millionaires paid $100 million less in taxes than they did last year -- even at higher rates.

Read the rest of the story at the Wall Street Journal

Nonsense Numbers -- Reported Crime Decline A Fraud!

With Thousands Of Found Bodies Still Unclassified, Accurate Crime Stats Unavailable

By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L.

It's been said that numbers don't lie. I'm inclined to believe that. But conversely,, people lie all the time, and they use numbers to do so. Just look at any of the Fortune 500 companies that overstated their profits. Can you say Enron?

Investigative Voice reports the city has thousands of deaths, with some being possible murders, but they remain unclassified, therefore off the books. How interesting, you guys found a clever way to artificially keep the numbers down. This year, besides the known murders, nearly 200 bodies were found already. Think maybe our actual count could be higher? Have we collectively become that naive to not know the smell of a rat when we smell one? Especially one that's been chewing through a rotting corpse?

Come on people! Everyone is under pressure to produce lower numbers, by any means necessary. If you can't solve murders, can't prevent and reduce them, how about simply not report them? Make them go away, as if nothing ever happened.

The sad state of journalism in this one newspaper town could not have been put on better display than today's Baltimore Sun. Right there in a big bold headline, we're told that crime is down. Seriously folks, are we really expected to buy into this crap? It should have said, CITIZEN REPORTING OF CRIME DECREASED.

When is the Sun going to do a story on how much crime in the city is never reported to the police? Will they do a follow up piece, on how much crime is told to police, who then refuse to actually file a report? If these lies were not involving life and death, maybe I wouldn't be so passionate. But damn it, quit lying to us already.

Baltimore is as violent as it's ever been. We have street gangs growing exponentially in power and strength, and our teeny little under manned, under funded gang unit has very little intelligence on the situation. The fact that the gangs work the entire geographic area without respect for jurisdictions is another story. Local police departments don't even talk to each other about criminals who make the rounds crossing jurisdictional borders.

If crime is truly in such a steep decline, tell me why the jails and prisons remain overcrowded? Enough already, tell us the truth Bealefeld, we can handle it. Mayor Dixon, you know better. We all want to see Baltimore improve and become more desirable to outside investors, tourism and potential new residents. Being dishonest and playing games with the numbers is not the way to Achieve this, or maybe it is....

You guys may be onto something. Just look at Chicago and New Orleans. Two of the most known corrupt cities in the country, and both get 10 times more tourism than Baltimore. I think I get it now. Ingenious! Let's sink deeper into the foul putrefaction of collective dissolution, it just may bring us great dividends in return.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Baltimore Spectator On Twitter

Join the Office of The British Prime minister, The Baltimore Sun, and many of Charm City's top journalists. Become one of our followers. Get updates and random musings from the mad mind of A.F. James MacArthur. Baltimore crime, grime and politics with a sprinkling of nonsense thrown in for good measure. twitter.com/baltospectator
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commissioner Bealefeld Ignores Major Issue

Top Cop Misdirects Attention To Avoid Department Scrutiny

By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L., Managing Editor

Well, you really did it this time Commissioner Bealefeld. The words you said actually pissed me off and they hit home with me. A hit below the belt that is. Recently you had a much ballyhooed appearance on a local talk show. As usual, I agreed with so much of what you said, but on a few points, I must differ with you in the most fierce manner possible.

Other Agencies Need To Step Up

While it may be true that other city agencies need to help bear the burden of reducing crime and violence in this city, there's something I didn't hear you mention a single word about. GETTING RID OF THE DIRTY COPS! The Baltimore Police Department is full of them and we all know this. Their presence make the good guys look bad. It makes the jobs of the honest ones more difficult too. The police have ZERO CREDIBILITY with the black community, including those of us that abide by the law.

For too long we've seen a pattern of wrongful arrest, harassment, physical abuse, deliberate and malicious false statements and testimony. How much of this has changed? When will this be addressed squarely? Oh sure, there's been a high profile conviction or two, but the problem runs deep, real deep. We know that even your brother, Charles Bealefeld's name came up a few times in investigations. Want my respect and those of others in the black community? Then let's hear you talk more about cleaning up the department.

Yes, Doc Cheatham may consider you a friend, but you know what? The black community at large does not trust you. We ain't buying it! Like it or not, this is a plain hard fact. Not only do we not trust you, we don't trust your men either. The women aren't seen much differently.

As long as so many of us are looked at as either suspect or victim by the police, the problems will continue. It doesn't take a degree in psychology to understand the deeply ingrained damage done to the collective psyche of Baltimore by this department. If I assembled the full list of abuses and illegal activity committed by members of the Baltimore Police Department, it would resemble the rap sheet of large organized crime family. Sad thing, for many, the police and the criminals are hard to tell apart.

Commisioner Bealefeld, have you ever been beaten up and arrested by a cop on your front porch simply because you were not able to produce ID when a cop demanded it? Probably not right? Well I was. What message do you think this sends to my children, my neighbors, the community at large? Don't know about you, but typically while I'm relaxing on my own property, I don't have my wallet on me. On my own private property, as a law abiding citizen, there's no valid legal reason why I should have to show ID to anyone! Especially some thug chop. Go out and protect and serve why don't you! STOP ABUSING AND HARASSING THOSE OF US THAT ARE NOT CRIMINALS! I thought we went to war with foreign countries that did this sorta thing?

The culture of corruption and abuse that runs rampant in the Baltimore Police Department has done so much to undermine crime fighting. It's not just the uncooperative and overly lenient State's Attorney office. probably not the first time you've heard this, but the police lost the hearts and minds of the people, a long, long time ago.

Without citizen cooperation, and right now there is none, good luck solving crimes. If I were you, I would not be celebrating too much right now. The reported minimal decrease in crime does not amount to much. The homicide closure rate is still dismal and well below average. Most killers in Baltimore are still getting away with murder! Remember, there's still seven months to go. When the numbers were high, you told me to stop focusing on them. Now they're a little bit lower, and you guys are crowing?

My issues with your department, it's policies, and actual practices on the street run much deeper than what's been stated so far. If the goon squad doesn't fabricate another phony arrest on me in yet another attempt to see me silent, I will be providing much more details. The ongoing attempts at suppression and intimidation have been absolutely sickening. I openly state this so the next time I disappear, the people will know it's nothing but another cowardly act of reprisal, an attempt to silence a voice of truth that cannot be refuted. The facts are what they are. The dastardly deeds continue.

As an American citizen, as a black man, as a resident of Baltimore, I am disgusted that not only do I have to watch my back for violent street thugs, but I have to look out for the Baltimore Police too. The beatings, abuse, rapes, and misconduct at the hands of dirty cops in Baltimore are on par with those of any notorious street gang.

How can a department filled with so many criminal gangsters effectively protect us from the same? They won't, they can't! Until there's been a major housecleaning, this place will be forever plagued.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With years of practical, theoretical and academic experience in criminal justice and criminology, A.F. James MacArthur is a frequent commentator on crime and justice and a harsh critic of Baltimore City government corruption and politics. A one time street level law enforcer and college instructor, MacArthur has been recently selected as a lead instructor for the soon to be chartered Baltimore Urban Institute.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Baltimore Spectator On Twitter

Join the Office of The British Prime minister, The Baltimore Sun, and many of Charm City's top journalists. Become one of our followers. Get updates and random musings from the mad mind of A.F. James MacArthur. Baltimore crime, grime and politics with a sprinkling of nonsense thrown in for good measure. twitter.com/baltospectator
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

City Crime Continues To Decline

Per Baltimore Police Twitter:

HOMICIDE: UNIT BLOCK CLINTON ST. ADULT MALE FOUND SITTING IN CAR WITH A GUNSHOT WOUND.

Another Baltimore Boondoggle -- An Examination Of Government Waste

Proposal To Scrap JFX Another Sign Of An Administration Out Of Touch

boon⋅dog⋅gle

[boon-dog-uhl, -daw-guhl] Show IPA noun, verb, -gled, -gling. 

1. An unnecessary or wasteful project or activity.

2. Work of little or no value done merely to keep or look busy.

3. A project funded by the federal government out of political favoritism that is of no real value to the community or the nation.

–verb (used with object)
4. to deceive or attempt to deceive: to boondoggle investors (taxpayers) into a low-interest scheme.


I wanted to start of with the definition so that we are all on the same page. At times I have been accused of using words that may be unclear to some, but in this case, I think the use is quite appropriate. Let me show you how:

SPENDING MONEY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SPEND EVEN MORE MONEY

On May 17, 2009, a Baltimore Sun piece by reporter Edward Gunts revealed to us that Mayor Sheila Dixon's administration spent $60,000 on a study by an engineering firm to look into the feasibility of destroying a portion of I-83, otherwise known as the JFX. The portion in question is the last leg leading you into downtown. It actually has an off ramp that takes you right to city hall. That's all we need, let's make it harder, slower, more difficult to get into the city from outlying areas. Let's make this place more undesirable. The already declining population is not enough right?

Hmmmmmm...... is our government trying to become even more inaccessible than they already are by cutting of a major arterial inlet that leads us right to their front door? Interestingly enough, the off ramp that takes you to city hall takes you right past Baltimore Police Headquarters, another shining example of the failures and woes of this city, but I digress.

Wait a sec, you don't think the deep levels of low moral, lack of discipline and motivation, failure to act and derelict of duty represent a failure? Note, I'm not begrudging or disparaging the many hard working, honest police officers out there. My target here is the system and it's leadership, or more accurately, lack of leadership. How many officers do we need to see arrested for attempted murder, shoplifting, spousal abuse, etc., before we admit there's a huge problem within the department. Oh yeah, don't forget the KKK incident, but Bealefeld's brother got a pass on that one. And if that wasn't enough, after this piece runs, I'm sure some of the goons will act out in a way giving me even more material. Another false arrest perhaps, or maybe more harassment? Can you say reprisal and retaliation?

So back to the JFX and the $60,000 paid to look into destroying a perfectly functioning superhighway. The type of roadway many communities would die for. So many cities spend years begging the federal government for funds to build bigger and better highways. But Baltimore is seeking 1 billion dollars to destroy one we already have. And this makes sense in what universe?

BROKEN BALTIMORE NEEDS TO BE FIXED

As if it wasn't bad enough that in a time when we're closing down youth recreation centers, swimming pools and libraries, apparently for not having enough money, we spend $60,000 to look a concept that at best, would benefit only a tiny minority (mostly already wealthy developers), as compared to the city at large.

Drive through the neighborhoods of Baltimore, beyond downtown. One thing becomes readily apparent. The sad sorry state of our lousy roads. Pot holes, uneven surfaces, poor drainage, you name it, we've got it all. In many areas, the city is literally crumbling. We even have some bridges that have failed inspection and should be immediately repaired. Perhaps the administration ought to be spending money figuring out how to fix problems in areas that affect so many of us on a daily basis. Oh I'm sorry, that wouldn't put money in the hands of big developers would it? I guess creating lots of jobs and getting people to work repairing this broken city is just too high minded an ideal to even consider. I must be delusional right?

In seeking to understand why we would spend $60,000, in a down economy, to look at the pros and cons of destroying something that ain't broke, at the cost of over 1 billion more dollars, I'm simply left at a loss. Truly I weep for Baltimore. The penchant for accepting mediocrity in leadership is depressing.

Maybe I ought to look closely into the dating, social and love lives of the men over at Rummel, Klepper & Kahl LLP, the engineering team getting the money. Are any of them in a relationship with someone down at city hall?

-=SPECTATOR RADIO=- Sunday Night Live! 9:00 PM

Drug legalization. Has the time come to explore ending prohibition in Baltimore?

Also, Murder, Mayhem And Madness. Is Baltimore The Land Of Confusion?

LISTEN LIVE FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. 9:00PM tonight.

CALL (347) 215-6958

Listener participation and call in heavily encouraged. Tell your friends. This is an all ages discussion.

Visit the show's homepage. You can even click "REMIND" to be emailed a reminder of upcoming shows.

BREAKING! SWINE FLU CONFIRMED IN BALTIMORE!

First Baltimore City Cases Confirmed

Official announcement coming this evening according to Mayor Sheila Dixon spokesman, Scott Peterson. Investigative Voice has the news flash.

If we learn the cases are at University of Maryland Medical Center, I will not be surprised. Several weeks ago some of my sources in the Dept. Of Health AND University of Maryland Medical center revealed to me there were indeed several cases they were almost 100% certain, was the H1N1 influenza virus, right here in Baltimore. I am eagerly awaiting the announcement to hear the details, but I suspect much of what they shared with me back then is what we'll here.

Violent Crime Is Down

If you listen to city officials speak, you hear much talk about crime being down by this percentage or that. Funny how we're not quite half way through the year and already some seek to claim victory. At this point, the numbers are mostly meaningless. Even if they are totally accurate, and even that is debatable. What, you actually believe everything your government tells you?

Still in the hood, the living ain't good. The violence continues.

By the way, what about the homicide closure rate? Any improvements there or are we still batting under .500 (that would be under 50% for you non baseball peeps)

From Baltimore Police Twitter (last 24 hours)

SHOOTING: 2100 SINCLAIR / 2000 CHESTER. ADULT MALE SHOT IN CRITICAL CONDITION. POLICE INVESTIGATING


SHOOTING: 308 N CARROLLTON AVE. ADULT FEMALE SHOT. POLICE INVESTIGATING

EDITORS NOTE: In the above tweet, the victim was pronounce dead on arrival. Didn't see that in the twitter feed did you?

SYSTEMIC FAILURE -- Part 1 -- Prosecutorial Misconduct

The Destruction Of Innocence
By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L.

Baltimore has a really big problem. Violent crime is out of control, and everyone is seeking a solution. Sadly, the police make numerous arrests, yet many result in no prosecution. Margaret Burns, spokeswoman for Baltimore's State's Attorney's office tell us, over 1000 cases per month are tossed out. Worse still, of cases prosecuted, may fail to address the root causes of violence in the city. The result is no appreciable difference in the reduction of crime.


Despite what any top cop, or city elected official may tell you, ask the man on the street, or the boys in the hood, they'll all say, this is still, BodyMore, Murderland. With hundreds of deaths classified as "cause undetermined," or "pending," who knows for sure just what the truth is. Greedy corporations cook the books, and fudge numbers just to look good, what makes you think self serving, self important, self aggrandizing officials and politicians wouldn't do the same?

IN THE COURT ROOM

When a prosecutor has little evidence, or no witnesses, by all established standards, his case is considered weak. A defendant with strong testimony, credible witnesses, and solid evidence is usually thought as having a good shot at justice. Sometimes, a prosecutor goes forward with a case, knowing full well, he probably doesn't have one. For him, the only objective is to win, no matter what; this is not justice, it's a miscarriage of justice.

No longer is it about right or wrong or the search for truth. Justice comes down to who can argue better, who has better strategy, and who is willing to spend more money. The state has endless resources to prosecute. Most of us have limited resources to spend on our own defense. Similar to a game or sporting event, a running score is kept. Victory at all cost is what the prosecutor wants. Even if the loss of innocence and freedom for a law abiding citizen is the end result.

In the courts, the fate and destiny of the common man lies in the balances. When a new case is reviewed by the prosecutor's office, decisions should be made in the best interest of society. Ideally at this point, it is determined whether there is enough to proceed to trial, or should the whole matter be dropped. A prosecutor who truly believes in justice will usually review all evidence, or lack there of, then chart a course. The attorney trapped in the tunnel vision mindset of winning or losing sometimes miss relevant details. Other times there is a willful overlooking of pertinent facts supporting the defense. Often, without any real evidence, they choose to go forward.

Many cases brought up in court should have been summarily dismisses, but gamesmanship of a misguided prosecutor perverts justice. He wants to win remember? At all costs! To nolle preseque, or throw out a case; would save innumerable taxpayer dollars and free up the court docket for the many serious and pressing issues faced by our city. Truly, Baltimore is a community in crisis.

In Charm City, too many cases are dragged on, while an innocent person is put through the ringer. Our system claims innocence until proven guilty, but close examination reveals this notion exists only in theory. For some who are wrongfully charged, their accusers often win, dealing a defeat to true justice. But what does this mean? The reasons for the victory are no more evident at the end of the trial, that it was at the very start. In other words, any fool and his mama could have seen, there was never really a case, yet for some reason it went forward.

Arrogance and pride keeps the prosecutor going on a lost cause, looking for that victory. He wants guilt, but there's non there. Only an innocent man, and the prosecutor knows this. Or maybe he doesn't....

MALICIOUS PROSECUTION A DESTRUCTIVE FORCE

The cases tried against the innocent come at a very high price. The hapless defendant; make that innocent victim; or should I say loser, is left in a sorry state; even if he somehow won against malicious prosecution and false accusation. An innocent man who wins in court is left to pick up the pieces of his broken life.

Destroyed is his good name, public reputation, financial and career prospects, and even his family life sometimes is totally ruined. Too many times, for too many people, when you win, this is just a minor detail, easily insignificant in a now shattered world.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With years of practical, theoretical and academic experience in criminal justice and criminology, A.F. James MacArthur is a frequent commentator on crime and justice. A one time college level instructor, MacArthur has been recently selected as a lead instructor for the soon to be chartered Baltimore Urban Institute.