Baltimore Youth Killed In Record Numbers

An open letter from a concerned citizen


Dear Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake:

I am a Baltimore city resident and I pay taxes.

Something this year has me very concerned, that is the increase in homicide deaths of young people 18 and 19 years old.  In 2009 and 2010 there were 16 homicides in that group, in 2011 only 10.   This year by November 18 there have been 21 young people in that age group brutally killed in Baltimore City and the year isn't over yet.

 It is clear to me that circumstances for this group of teens have changed for the worse.  I worry that some of these teens have suddenly become homeless on their 18th birthday because their parents lose their welfare, foodstamps, housing and other government benefits and their parents don't see the point in keeping these new adults in their homes.

And we all know that some of these troubled kids can't find any legal job that is lucrative enough to support even a subsistence lifestyle.  Perhaps you can tell me what has changed recently to tell me why this group suddenly start being killed in record numbers and what you plan to do about it, if anything?

I care, but I doubt you or anyone else does.   Years from now the CDC might release the results of some study that will show the same results but by that time many more will have died.

I'd rather have you get out in front of this problem right now, if you can fit it into your busy schedule.

Thank you,

Cham

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