So How's That Crime Decline Coming?

Mayor Dixon; if a murder a day keeps the tourists away, what does a double shooting in the center of the tourist district say?

"People might not like it, some radicals [Baltimore Spectator] are going to speak out about it. Our officers are going to have to be more aggressive." -- Mayor Sheila Dixon

Two Men Shot At Inner Harbor

Commissioner Bealefeld; do we get to see you walk foot patrol and declare the Inner Harbor safe once again? Last time you said it, I actually B E I L I E V E D.

Was The Commish Talking About Us?

"I don't want to attract attention. I want to attract action. It's not a spectator sport to be involved in your community." - Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld III

The Weekend According To Twitter -- Thanks Baltimore Police Dept.

1. UPDATE - SHOOTING: 4908 HARFORD RD/ SUSPECT APPREHENDED AND ARRESTED AT THE SCENE.about 15 hours ago from UberTwitter
2. SHOOTING: 4908 HARFORD RD. ADULT MALE SHOTabout 15 hours ago from txt
3. SHOOTING-5441 FORCE RD: ADULT MALE SHOT. NON-LIFE THREATENINGabout 23 hours ago from UberTwitter
4. SHOOTING-301 LIGHT ST: 2 MALES SHOT AT PHILLIPS, ONE IN THE ELBOW, THE OTHER IN THE LEG, NON-LIFE THREATENING10:18 PM Aug 15th from txt
5. Shooting, 4782 Chatford Av, adult male shot.10:20 PM Aug 14th from txt
6. Serious Agg Assault-4201 Pennington Av-Adult male stabbed in the neck. Suspect arrested8:40 PM Aug 14th from txt
7. MEDIA ADVISORY: Alcohol not a factor in Michael Phelps accident. Police report will be avail and released later this afternoon.11:21 AM Aug 14th from UberTwitter
8. Shooting, 1309 Valley St, male shot in leg12:03 AM Aug 14th from UberTwitter

BodyMore – 6 People Shot Overnight, One Dead

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

Nine Shot In City Since Yesterday

@Baltimore Police UPDATE: Patterson Pk / Oliver St - 1 victim deceased, 1 in critical cond, 4 w non life threatening injuries. No info on suspect or motive

I suppose this is normal and routine? Six people shot just a few hours after a double shooting? It’s been a couple weeks since dual conflicting announcements concerning crime were made. First the city claimed crime is down, then the FBI said Baltimore led the nation in danger and violence.

If one were unsure what to believe, close observation since the announcements would allow even the most slowest, Baltimore City Public Schools educated, high school drop out, crack headed, addlebrained among us to draw our own conclusions.

Summer has just kicked off and already we’re seeing several shootings per day. Guess it doesn’t matter how much form stone you place on the outside, a house with a crumbling foundation will still fall.

Bodymore Chronicles, City As Dangerous As Ever

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

@BaltimorePolice DOUBLE SHOOTING: Reported @ Northern Pkwy / York Rd. 2 adults shot during possible carjacking. Police investigating 15 minutes ago from txt

View Larger Map

Seriously Baltimore, are we still buying the notion that crime is down? Hate to beat a dead horse, but really? They must think we are, cuz Sheila D and Freddy B are still out saying it ain’t so bad.

I’m seriously thinking about setting up a squatters camp on the inner harbor. This is my last resort to feel safe in this city. God knows I don’t feel that way now. Considering this morning on my way down Greenmount Ave. the first shooting happened.

Now tonight, moments after I step in the house having just come off York road from a walk, boom, this happens. ANOTHER ONE!

Days Later: Baltimore Sun Columnist Echoes Spectator

Mayor Dixon deserves level of respect pending trial outcome

They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. President Obama's disrespect of Mayor Sheila Dixon really upset me. Several days after my impassioned plea for Mayor Sheila Dixon to be treated with respect (see original piece), The Baltimore Sun's Dan Rodricks decides to follow suit. Thing about it...a readers email was posted and not his own words.

Mr. Rodricks, are you taking ques from a "mere blogger?"

Back in the Corps we used to say, lead, follow, or get the hell out the way!



Related stories;

BRAVE NEW WORLD: DOJ Officials Visit Baltimore Spectator

TV New Coverage of Obama's Diss

AGAIN: Dixon Dissed By President Obama

BRAVE NEW WORLD: DOJ Officials Visit Baltimore Spectator

Department Of Justice, Welcome To The Baltimore Spectator, Hope You Enjoyed Spending Time On The Site

The repeated open and overt snubbing of the Obama administration towards Mayor Dixon is nothing but shameful and disgraceful behavior. While there is much controversy surrounding Dixon and her criminal indictment, for now, she is still the sitting mayor of the largest American city in proximity to our nation's capital.

As much of a critic as I've been, let me make it clear. Mayor Sheila Dixon is my mayor, and this is my town. I take it personal when people from outside Baltimore put her or this city down. Shame on the so called purveyors of "hope" and change" for treating her this way.

After running a brief piece about Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon being snubbed by the Obama administration again, we were paid a visit this morning. They came in directly on the story. The folks who give us our site ratings tell us; The Department Of Justice spent 14 minutes and 59 seconds on The Baltimore Spectator. Wow! Does this count as my 15 minutes of fame?

So are we now on yet ANOTHER watch list? Will the phones be monitored even more than they already are? Are our GPS units (in the phones) being pinged to track our movements? Inquiry minds would like to know.

The Baltimore Spectator represents Freedom Of the Press as expressed in a "New Media" way.


Also read:

TV New Coverage of Obama's Diss

AGAIN: Dixon Dissed By President Obama

HOMELAND INSECURITY: Police Stop Man With Anti-Obama Sign

In The Meantime

Until we can fix the connection problems, and get back to what we do best, check out these video selections.

An instant classic; Baltimore State Of The City -- Reality Check Version -- What's Up Baltimore from MacArthur Media



Alternate Rock Version

Baltimore State of The City -- Reality Check Version

This is video is what you didn't hear about in the speech;

Baltimore State Of The City -- Reality Check Version -- What's Up Baltimore from MacArthur Media

A couple days after Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon delivered her 2009 State of The City address, I was feeling a little inspired. This video is about some of the things you may have not heard in the speech.


Enjoy

A.F. James MacArthur

FLASHBACK: Homicides Up, Police Overtime Down

by;
A.F. James MacArthur, Managing Editor

Despite a strongly delivered denial when this writer asked Mayor Dixon about a possible connection between an increase in homicides and police overtime being drastically cutback (see press conference near end of video), there may be proof to support the assertion of many city critics.

In December 2008, Baltimore Sun reporter Justin Fenton's article looked at the issue, disputing the official denial. "Detectives are being told, you can't finish working a case, you have to go home. We can't put foot men in a certain area, it will cost overtime. And district commanders are being beaten down if they spend over," according to former homicide Detective Robert F. Cherry. "You're lying to the public if you say we're attacking all forms of crime, and you're lying if you say the budget cuts have no effect."

Adding to the controversy is a widely held belief of homicide numbers being artificially low. This assertion has led to heated conflict and tension between City Councilman Bernard C. "Jack" Young, and Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld, even prompting Councilman Young to hold retaliatory hearings, after being kicked out of a police COMSTAT meeting by Bealefeld. Young has called the Commissioner to testify before the council this Thursday (see prior post). Young questions the validity of the highly celebrated sharp reduction in homicides reported late last year. Many others also cast doubt when speaking off the record to this writer.

Although the total homicide count for last year did indeed show a reduction, in November, as Mayor Dixon's directive to greatly reduce police overtime took effect, the tide seemed to be turning. The month saw a record 31 homicides as part of a trend leading the murder rate back on track to it's normally high numbers.

While Commissioner Bealefeld, in an interview with this reporter (see video), has said we need to "stop focusing on numbers." As public perception of safety in Baltimore City continues to erode, it's hard not to think about it. Just yesterday, a reader in Ireland landed on The Baltimore Spectator after googling the search term "is Baltimore safe."

Clearly the national and international perception of Baltimore closely lines up with the onscreen depictions of shows such as The Wire, Homicide and others. No amount of rhetoric and denial will change the reality faced by so many who have lost a friend, relative or co-worker to Baltimore's violence. Ask any 10 people if they've been affected and I guarantee you at least eight out of ten people in Baltimore can tell you about the direct impact a murder has had in their life.

Although I continue you to ask, there's still no answer to the question, "What's Up Baltimore?"

Retired Judge Will Hear Dixon's Corruption Case

Commentary writer for local legal paper, experienced in high profile cases. Retired Howard County Judge Dennis M. Sweeney will hear the corruption cases against Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, City Councilwoman Helen L. Holton and developer Ronald H. Lipscomb, according to a ruling yesterday from a Baltimore Circuit Court judge.

State Of The City, Mayor Dixon Touched Various Issues, Lacked Passion

From reduction in crime, to fighting global warming, according to Sheila Dixon, the city of Baltimore remains strong and is on the right track.

Video of the entire State of The City speech will be posted, also you will see the Mayor's reaction to A.F. James MacArthur's direct question about police overtime and the increase in homicides.

State Of The City -- Dixon Answers Question About Police Overtime

Baltimore Boondoggles -- Dubious Distinctions -- A Spectacle To The World

In this new ongoing series, we will highlight some of the more embarrassing news stories coming out of Baltimore. The kinda stories that quickly become the only perception many in the rest of the country have of Baltimore.

What a way to be known;

Last count, there were nearly 300 articles nationwide on Mayor Sheila Dixon's indictment. And we thought this was "just Baltimore hon"

Then there's Michael Phelps deal. That kept coming back to Baltimore too.

The girl who beat her school teacher, then beat the charges.

And in a bit lesser known story that didn't grow quite the legs it should, we learned that a Baltimore snitch of all people (I know, I know, couldn't resist) is largely responsible for getting the whole baseball steroid controversy going (see earlier blog entry)

Baltimore oh Baltimore...


Did I miss any? Send us your Baltimore boondoggles and other embarrassing ways we're seen by the rest of the country and the rest of the world. Email: BaltimoreSpectator@gmail.com

State Of The City: Mayor's Speech May Lack Ambition

Tight budget, difficult times forces Mayor Sheila Dixon to look into ways of doing more with less. The Baltimore Sun reports; The speech "is going to be focused on some hard decisions," "We're focused on being more innovative and more efficient and more effective, understanding there are going to be some trying times." -- Mayor Sheila Dixon

Additional Video reports

Bill Cosby Visits Baltimore -- Sheila Dixon Responds

Bill Cosby Visits Baltimore -- Sheila Dixon Responds

Click the link below to see Bill Cosby's visit to Baltimore yesterday and to hear Mayor Sheila Dixon's response to me about Bill Cosby's talk.

It should be noted that no interviews were granted to any of the major mainstream media in attendance. My interview with Mayor Dixon was the only one done by her at this event.

Click the play button below to view the video report

What's Up Baltimore? -- Weekend Update

Bill Cosby Visits Baltimore -- What's Up Baltimore Weekend Update from MacArthur Media on Vimeo.

"It Takes A Village" As part of the official city celebration of black history month, comedian Bill Cosby delivered the keynote address.

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon remarks on his speech.

Reporting by A.F. James MacArthur of MacArthur International Media




filed by A.F. James MacArthur


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