'The Wire,' 'Serial,' Baltimore and the Decline of the American Industrial Empire

What TV can teach us about Baltimore, and what Baltimore can teach us about the world?

7 February 2015

By A.F. James MacArthur 
Agitator In Chief
@BaltoSpectator 

"Baltimore is unlucky as hell, from what we see. Parasitic government, politically hamstrung and underfunded police, hellish public schools, dying economy, rampant drug crime. A perfect storm of urban dysfunction." -- Katrina Gulliver 

Once again outsiders give a more honest assessment than Baltimore media ever will.

It seems the only people performing a solid examination of the true State Of The City -- Baltimore's current condition -- are those whose jobs don't depend on continued access to city government types. This shouldn't be a shocker, but somehow it still is.

Less than two days after The Baltimore Spectator published Baltimore's Dirty Little Secret, a runner up for our most read article ever -- when we took an honest look at Baltimore -- Time magazine joins the conversation with an article of the their own. Giving you more of the inconvenient truth of what's the real deal with Baltimore. The kind the Mayor doesn't want you to know.

Katrina Glover goes in deep, pulling no punches.

Filled with historical context and an abundance of references and citations, the story is a must read for anyone trying to understand this city, and why it's the way it is and how the hell it got there.

Both the Time magazine piece and The Baltimore Spectator article; tackle factual -- but uncomfortable to discuss -- aspects of the city.

Your mayor, the media and the police are in a conspiracy of collusion to ignore these.

Expect continued silence. These folks aren't committed to truth. Not the whole truth. Only their version of it.

On 23 February, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake will give the annual "State Of The City" address. Although we don't know yet just what she'll say, you can bet it won't have anything to do with the issues discussed in the two articles referenced here.

What do you think is the real "State Of The City?"

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Researcher, independent investigator, and entrepreneur, A.F. James MacArthur is Baltimore's most well known independent journalist contributor. A member of the underground news network for over 20 years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by government under the guise of law enforcement. Although closely watched and followed, he's often boycotted from being given any credit for his work by mainstream media.
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Baltimore's Dirty Little Secret -- One Of Four American Cities On The World's Most Dangerous List -- This IS Harm City! #MobTown Chronicles

City Remains Ranked Among Most Violent In The World -- Leadership Largely Ignores Grim Reality
4 February 2015

By A.F. James MacArthur 
Agitator In Chief
@BaltoSpectator 
 
Baltimore is one of only four American cities making the list of the Fifty Most Dangerous Cities In The World. 

We understand the Mayor's reluctance in acknowledging this. She won't even talk about it at all. Unsurprisingly, no one in the media has shown any interest in discussing this less-than-desireable achievement of the city with her. Listening to her speak in public and observing her social media, you would never imagine things were this bad.
 

There are indeed two Baltimores. The one that Stephanie Rawlings-Blake wishes were the only one, and the one that Baltimore's majority must live -- and die -- in every day.

Mayor Dixon vs. Rawlings-Blake

Police Overtime, Increasing Crime

The Spectator Asks; Sheila Says No, Bealefeld Says So (what!), Stephanie Says WHOA! (wait a minute!)

Photos and story by A.F. James MacArthur, Managing Editor
10 March 2009 - 0600 hrs
(early edition, first draft -- be part of the process, email suggestions or corrections)

Exactly one month and a day ago, I asked Mayor Sheila Dixon a question that's been floating among critics; does the rise in homicides, have anything to do with reduction of police overtime? In front of cameras, and microphones, in a press conference immediately following her State of The City address, Mayor Dixon told me no (see video of interview, press play, then immediately pause, let video load into buffer, then skip to 3:57).

Of course, what was not on camera was when a few days later, at a closed door, invitation only meeting, in front of a crowded room of officials, Mayor Dixon, seeking to reassure herself in her stated answer, asked Commissioner Bealefeld if there was a correlation. The Spectator wonders, if Dixon was truly certain of her bold statement, why would she go on to ask the Commissioner?

Fast forward to today. The matter is far from settled, and the final conclusion still eludes all concerned. City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is now holding a hearing, in the very same building where Dixon stood saying there was no connection, addressing this very same question. This is interesting, because it essentially amounts to the City Council President publicly questioning and second guessing the Mayor. Sheila says no, but Stephanie wants to know.

Add this to the fact that Mayor Dixon is currently under indictment, and in a worse case scenario, Rawlings-Blake could be the appointed Mayor. One really has to "pause to ponder" (trademarked). Are we possibly seeing early public posturing to show independence from Dixon and leadership initiative? The co-sponsor of the hearing is Councilman Bernard C. "Jack" Young, another contender (although publicly denied, reliable sources tell us) for the next mayoral election. This Charm City Saga continues.


ALSO SEE:

Shooting From The Hip -- Editorial - My Harshest Ever

Commisioner Bealefeld To Spectator: Do More, Talk Less - Crime Is Going Down (video)

Not Gone Yet -- A Few Parting Shots Left!

UPDATED: The Spectator Shutting Down

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?"

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

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