First was Gregory Rochester, a 25-year-old who was shot in the head on East 25th St. In May, 17-year-old Deandre Hatcher was killed on the block of East 23rd St. This summer witnessed the murder of Mustafa Ghulam, a Pakistani cab driver who was shot while driving around 28th Street. These are only a few of the many tragic and unacceptable incidences that happen all the time in this city. This year Baltimore is on track to experience over 300 homicides, a number it has not reached since 1999. It is sad and disappointing news. It is sad because so many lives have been lost on the streets of this city. It is disappointing because Baltimore has constantly tried to address this issue and has consistently failed.
Many such attempts have proven to be simply campaign slogans and empty promises. Mayor Sheila Dixon, facing an election year, has a plan to increase the number of new entrants of police officers by 60 officers per year, bringing the yearly additions from 240 officers to 300 officers. Does anyone really believe that 40 extra officers per year will change things? It is time for real reform in the Police Department, not just more officers.
As Baltimore has become more dangerous, Hopkins, however, has grown significantly safer over the past three years. Since the murder of Linda Trinh in 2005, Hopkins has instituted a number of security measures, including cameras, increased campus security and greater cooperation with the Baltimore Police Department.
Hopkins has been successful in its security improvements. Granted the City government has to deal with gang warfare, a drug trade and such, but there may be some things that the City could learn from Hopkins.
A larger police presence is not the solution. The problem is essentially a socioeconomic one. With more jobs people are less desperate and less likely to resort to crime.
Hopkins can help Baltimore in two ways. One way is with education, in which Hopkins has been a leader. For example Hopkins had established the Talent Development program for high school curriculums, which has helped "at risk" students succeed in school. Hopkins can also help is by establishing employment opportunities in Baltimore.
With such a problematic homicide rate, Baltimore may appear to be a quagmire, but these problems are not insurmountable. The Baltimore community (the city government, the citizens, Hopkins, etc.) needs to address these issues together. We must learn from past mistakes and solutions, and collaborate to form new policies, change attitudes and make Baltimore a safer place for all its residents.
