Responding to the recent spike in violence, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced Thursday a partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to federally prosecute violent crimes in certain city neighborhoods.
Joined by State’s Attorney Gregg Bernstein, U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein and Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, the mayor said she would assign two veteran assistant state’s attorneys to the U.S. attorney’s office to prosecute violent crimes in parts of East and West Baltimore in federal court where tougher sentences can be imposed and convicts will be sent to prisons far from Baltimore.
“By focusing our resources on specific, selected areas and individuals we expect a more direct impact on those neighborhoods that have seen the greatest incidents of violence and criminal activity,” said Rawlings-Blake.
Bernstein said the move is not only targeting the recent spike, but part of an overall crime-fighting strategy developed in recent “high level” talks. “We are hopeful that these investigations will lead to successful prosecutions and incarceration of these [violent repeat offenders],” said Bernstein.
Rosenstein said they can make a difference only with the support of city residents. “We need your cooperation; we need people to work with law enforcement to call in tips to cooperate when they witness criminal activity,” he said.
Bernstein said he would “back-fill” the open slots in his office with other attorneys. He said candidates under consideration for the federal detail are currently going through background checks.
According to mayoral spokesman Ryan O’Doherty, the funding - $230,000 – is coming from the city’s general fund.