Fudging Crime Numbers -- Baltimore Is Not The Only One

LA Police Crime Database Omits 40% Of This Years Crime, Can Crime Stats Be Trusted?

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

IT'S NOT LONELY AT THE TOP

No one wants to be number one, especially when it comes to being filled with crime and violence. Baltimore is frequently at the top of the list. With hundreds and hundreds of deaths and possible murders, that have been officially classified as "cause of death, undetermined," many in the city feel there may be something to hide.

Critics continue to rail against the Dixon administration on this matter. They claim possible coverups may be hidding in the numbers. The critcs believe a possible motivation would be to artificially keep the true level of crime hidden from the public.

A murder classified as an undetermined death stays off the crime stats. Even police on the beat are taking part. Reports of officers throughout the city engaing in underreporting, downgrading and in some cases just totally ignoring taking reports for crimes. To some, there seems to be a concerted, multi-player effort in disguising the true face of crime in Baltimore City.

I remember when I surprised two men who had broken into my car. After confronting them, they turned to me and I retreated for safety. The responding police officers had no interest in taking a crime report. It took several calls to district station, and finally a personal visit and pleading with a supervisor before the Baltimore Police would take the report.

Even with this type of dishonesty running rampant among those charged with protecting and serving, Baltimore still found itself number one at the top of the list of the most violent cities in America. Within a day or two of earning the distinction, we learned Charm City was bumped off by the Motor City. Apparently Detroit had been under reporting too, and once the true count was tabulated, they took first place among violent US cities..

Now here comes La La Land. The home of Hollywood magic, illusions and special effects. Los Angeles Police; in a move to keep the public informed and be a more transparent department has maintained a public database of crimes in the city. Strangely, the database doesn't include about 19,000 serious crimes that took place, according to the LA Times the missing mayhem includes;

* 26 homicides

* 137 rapes

* 10,766 personal, vehicle or other nonviolent thefts

Talking about destroying the public trust. If it's being hidden from the public in a database, where else is crime being covered up? We should give credit to LA though. At least they have a database and crime map available to the public. In Baltimore they're still debating it as the department continues to hide behind layers of secrecy.

So while crime rages on, residents find themselves unsure if they can trust the numbers. This week Baltimore saw several major crimes in the news, including several shootings, but the regular updates from the Baltimore Police Dept. Twitter made no mention. Twitter updates from the department were touted as an attempt of transparency. The department even went as far as saying the updates are real time. So what happened this week? Is the smoke screen being fired up once again?

Citizen Spectators Wanted/Notes From City Council

UPDATE: Charm City Roller Girls Flock To Site
Welcome! Feel free to comment below article.

Rawlings-Blake A Charm City Roller Girl?

As usual there was a lot going on at last night's weekly city council meeting. While we wish to increase civil awareness., it is impossible for one reporter to cover in detail the many and varied issues brought up at these meetings. Quite frankly, let it be officially known, we are openly seeking "citizen spectators." Volunteers, who as time enables, can attend various city government functions and meetings in areas of interest to them, and write a simple summary report and maybe take a few photos or video.

BALTIMORE SPECTATOR EXCLUSIVE

If you weren't at the meeting last night, you probably don't know that Baltimore's own President of The City Council, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, openly declared to all in attendance at City Hall, that she is contemplating joining up with nationally famous Charm City Roller Girls! Now that I'd pay money to see. Of course, in a town with a lack of a comprehensive media, this was not reported anywhere except here. Oh, and did I mention today is her birthday. Happy Birthday Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

In joining the roller league, she would be in fine company with previous council member politician/athletes. Former council member now mayor Sheila Dixon is a 3rd degree black belt, an avid bicyclist, and from what I hear, a boxer with a mean right hook, look out opposition! Former council member, then mayor, now Governor of Maryland Martin O'Malley pumps iron with a vengeance. Trust me, I've seen it with my own eyes.

We already know Madame President has a bit of a sporting side. Last September 11th, Rawlings-Blake along with a host of others from city government (see photo), and even yours truly, participated in a 5K Run/Walk to raise money for police and fire charities. I regretfully report to you, Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld, a man older than me, soundly beat me and finished the run several minutes ahead of me. Commissioner, if you're listening, this year I want to challenge you to a rematch.

HELP US GET THE WORD OUT, BECOME A SPECTATOR

In an age where everyone, including our own Baltimore City Council is talking open government and transparency, we are not only hoping for our local elected officials to welcome this initiative, but perhaps even assist in it, or direct some of their constituents towards this 100% volunteer, not for profit, public information/public awareness endeavor.

In all of my years of observing government, both from the inside as an employee or contractor, and from the outside as a citizen, one of the things that bothers me the most is how little people seem to be aware of the process of government. People are quick to complain and call up their representatives when they have a problem, but the actual way the machine works is a mystery to most.

We welcome anyone interested in joining our crusade of shining a spotlight on local government to step up and be counted. Even if you only want to be a one time corespondent, that would be helpful too. So come on, don't just sit there, send me an email, tell your friends about this, suggest others you know take part.

Managing editor A.F. James MacArthur may be contacted by email; AF.JamesMacArthur@gmail.com or by calling 202-321-9203.

COWARD! PSC Spokesperson Refuse To Speak

BREAKING NEWS: Cab Rate Rollback Denied!

Agency SPOKESperson, refuses to speak to media

So much for transparency in government. When called on live radio today, Maryland Public Service Commission spokesperson LaWanda Edwards hung up the phone after a reporter asked her a question. In a move that was both rude and shocking, the person whose job it is to talk to the media, decided, without explanation, that she would not.

Reporter, activist and talk show host Larry Wallace, aka Larry "The Celebrity" cab driver had just finished identifying himself and advised Edwards she was on the radio. Edwards then asked him for the purpose of his call. After stating he wanted to ask a few questions about the controversial taxi meter rate decrease (see Taxi drivers protest), without a word, Edwards was gone.

This issue is of great concern. At a time of growing distrust and suspicion of government, spokespeople refusing to talk to the media raises serious red flags. What do they get paid to do? If they are unable to do their jobs, why are they being paid a good salary with money from the taxpayers? Behavior like this is not acceptable, and should not be tolerated, from ANY civil servant, taxpayer paid, government employee.

As the executive producer for the radio show, Taxi Talk on WOLB 1010 AM, I am demanding an explanation and a response from the officials of the Public Service Commission. Civil servants are supposed to serve, but we now live in an era, where apparently, the only one served are themselves.

Shame on LaWanda Edwards for her cold, callous, uncaring and rude treatment, on live radio, of a member of the media.



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