COCKED AND LOCKED - Baltimore Police Open For Business?

Public Invitation Runs Contrary To Reality

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

Agitator-In-Chief
@BaltoSpectator

Is it too much to expect accurate information from the official Twitter account, of the 8th largest police department in the country? When dealing with the Baltimore Police Department, I learned a long time ago to be careful in taking them at their word.

Anyone who's ever had the unfortunate experience of seeking help at one of Baltimore's police stations could tell you how uninviting they are. From hidden rear entrances (many front door are condemned), to unstaffed desks, the decrepit, run down appearances are not exactly a comforting sight for a citizen in distress. And that's before you have to deal with the cops themselves!

So a Bishop and a Police Chief walk into a bar...
(A.F. James MacArthur, Baltimore Spectator)

Batts And The Bishop

Baltimore mega-church, New Psalmist Baptist, led by Bishop Walter S. Thomas Sr., decided they'd had enough of this embarrassment. Details aren't clear, but apparently they provided private funding and or other support, to renovate and reopen the front entrance of the police department's Northwestern District station.

With great fanfare and upbeat announcements echoed by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the general public was invited to come on down to check it out. In the spirit of hard-core investigative journalism and bringing you "Truth To The Masses," The Baltimore Spectator decided to check out the spectacle, so you wouldn't have to. What we discovered might surprise you.

In the graphic below, a friendly, open invitation is extended to the general public via twitter at 12:54 p.m. Less than an hour later when we showed up, apparently someone must have seen us coming, because the doors were definitely locked. A lone detective could be seen in the video, briefly peering through the large front window, that would be the only welcome or acknowledge we got. There was no inquiry of  "may I help you?" No one asked, "is there something we can do for you?" Nope, not here.

The Baltimore Police Department was asked for clarification via Twitter (same venue as the invitation), but as of this writing (3:25 p.m.), there's been no response.

It should be pointed out, this incident is not the first time conflicting messages were delivered to the public by the police. We've had plenty experiences before.


Remember, if you're having an emergency, DO NOT go to your nearest neighborhood police station. That is, unless you don't mind being left on the outside looking in.

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Community activist, independent journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James MacArthur is used to not being welcomed in public places.

 Email MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, @BaltoSpectator on twitter, Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook,YouTube channel

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TROOP SWOOP! Maryland State Police Descend Upon Greenmount Ave The Corridor Of Death

Story, photos & audio by A.F. James MacArthur

Friday night saw the beginning of a new new offensive in the war on crime in Baltimore. After years of earning a reputation of sometimes resembling a virtual out-of-control war zone, Greenmount Ave. in north Baltimore became one of the first locations to see deployment of a new partnership between Maryland State Police and the Baltimore Police Department bringing a sizable contingent of the state troopers with feet on the ground.

"I heard there's already been two murders tonight...," 

It was not clear if the new initiative came as a direct request of brand new, yet to be confirmed, Police Commissioner Anthony Batts. The timing of this never-before-seen troop surge begs the question be asked; will Batts be the man with a plan, bringing innovative, untried ideas to Baltimore?

Listen to a James MacArthur report live last night from Greenmout Ave as the story unfolded..

Known for a high degree of discipline and strict enforcement, the presence of the Maryland State Police, en mass within the confines of one of Baltimore's most crime-ridden quarters is on obvious shift in strategy. After numerous back to back murders on or near Greenmount Ave.,and an untold level of violence including stabbing, non-fatal shootings, robberies, rapes and a rash of burglary, area residents and merchants have repeatedly expressed anger and disappointment towards Baltimore Police Department for a seeming lack of an ability to gain results in restoring calm to the area.

Trooper surround man arrested on Greenmount Ave.

In a relative short span of time, the Baltimore Spectator observed a stretch of the famed avenue normally inundated with unsavory characters, completely clear out. The troopers conducted traffic stops, swept for stolen cars using automatic tag readers, and made at least one arrest of a habitual public drunk, all while this reporter watched.

The initiative drew a lot of attention. The corner of Greenmount and 33rd, a site of several shootings and murders, is quite often populated by drug dealers, obviously high and intoxicated individuals, and homeless people. All this was strangely absent last night as state police, rolling up to four deep in a patrol cars, and up to a dozen more on foot, made their presence known.

Several bystanders on the street remarked to the Baltimore Spectator surprise and astonishment at seeing the  large number of State Police in their distinctive, two-tone, green and khaki uniforms, topped by the highly recognizable Smokey-The-Bear hats. Using language not suitable for publication, one young man upon learning of the initiative expressed anger at their presence as he quickly shuffled down the avenue. He clearly wanted nothing to do with the area now that Maryland State Police were on the scene.

According to sources within the Maryland State Police, last night was the first night of a new initiative launched in Baltimore city in response to rising crime rates. The actions are a direct contradiction to a repeating narrative heard from many quarters that crime is down. After all, were crime truly down, one would have to ask, why the increased police presence from an elite law enforcement agency?

State Troopers stand watch at Greenmount Ave and 33rd St.

For troopers from far flung parts of the state like La Plata, Cecil County, and Frederick, working the streets of Maryland's largest, most crime ridden city brought an obvious level of excitement to these law enforcers.  "I heard there's already been two murders tonight," remarked one trooper as he told the Baltimore Spectator they hoped to make a difference in Charm City.

The initiative is to be ongoing, primarily on the weekends. Not just limited to Greenmount Ave. By the time the troopers arrived at the famed corridor of death last night, they had already been to four other districts working with Baltimore Police.

For what it's worth, Baltimore Police told the Baltimore Spectator via Twitter this morning, federal agents and state police have been working here in the city for some time, although this hasn't seemed to be reported by any other media.

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A veteran urban combat corespondent, A.F. James MacArthur patrolled some of the the most dangerous zip codes on the planet, in and out of uniform, before becoming Baltimore's premier, independent street reporter. Making innovative use of social media, he can be reached at 410-205-NEWS (6397), MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, and followed via an ever expanding universe of venues: @BaltoSpectator on twitter , Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook, YouTube channel

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SPIES AMONG US! -- O'Malley Promises To Stop Spying

Brushing aside assurances from the Maryland State Police that troopers will never again secretly monitor and collect information on peaceful protest groups, state lawmakers and Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration are moving ahead with a plan to outlaw such tactics and will push for legislative action at hearings today.

Edward T. Norris, who preceded Hutchins as state police superintendent, said intelligence gathering is "a specific art" but said the homeland security division that he started shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, "never would have been interested in the kinds of things they were looking at" under Hutchins.

Baltimore's quirky little alternative daily and defacto O'Malley PR office has more.

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT/INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES

Yes, you're powerful. Sure, you're everywhere. But this is still America, and the Constitution of the United States Of America still reigns supreme as the law of the land. The Baltimore Spectator will vigorously and aggressively defend against any and all attempts at spying and suppression. Let it be known to all that we are already aware of the regular monitoring and shadowing attempts. There is nothing to hide, but cross the line and there will be hell to pay.

In the end, efforts to impinge upon the freedoms of the people will ultimately fail. Some of us may get taken out in the ongoing battle for true and lasting freedom, but as I've said many times before, and will say till the day I die or get taken out by you goons, THERE ARE MORE OF US, THAN THERE ARE OF YOU.


A.F. James MacArthur -- American patriot & lover of liberty.

BREAKING NEWS: Govt. Goons Caught Spying On The Spectator

To the Maryland State Police, or whatever agency sent the gentleman who were shadowing me today. Let it be known that we are aware of your activities and quite frankly it's offensive and disturbing. It's a sad day in America, when a law abiding citizen, who chooses to speak his mind and expresses himself, is viewed as some sort of threat, worthy of law enforcement monitoring.

I have consulted with my attorneys and the NAACP. The ACLU is also being contacted. If the spying effort does not immediately cease, severe legal civil repercussions will follow. Taxpayer resources should not be spent on law enforcement, in observing law abiding citizens.

By the way, the blue jeans and casual clothes was a nice touch. But let me tell you, it takes one to know one. You can dress up or dress down anyway you want, but as long as I see you, I know who you are.

A.F. James MacArthur
Citizen & Patriot