Baltimore Crime Is Off The Charts. Guess Who Is To Blame?

Baltimore we have a problem!

And I’m not talking about police excessive force or the shooting of unarmed black men.

The numbers are startling.

In just 72 hours, this past Memorial Weekend 29 people were shot, 7 were killed.

This month is the city’s deadliest in more than a decade, since 1999.

There have been 108 homicides so far this year, up 40 percent from last year.

City officials are dumbfounded to say the least.

The mayor says it’s disheartening.

The Police Chief Anthony Batts blames, in part, the recent unrest.

“Officers tell me and their supervisors, any time they pull up to respond to a call, they have 30 to 50 people surrounding them. We have to send in multiple units just to do basic police work, which says we have to work on community engagement.”

Batts has added more officers and presence in the Western District where most of the violence is occurring but so far it hasn’t helped.

“It makes it very difficult to follow up on violence that takes place there,” he said. “Clearly, they’re not holding back. They’re getting to those locations and getting surrounded. You have many citizens with hand-held cameras that they’re sticking in the faces of officers, an inch off the officer’s face.”

The real story however may not be anything Batts or the Mayor want to admit.

Arrests numbers are plummeting while the murder rate is surging.

Listen to a part of this report from my CNN colleague Miguel Marquez.

The officer’s voice is disguised for fear of retribution.

Miguel – “And morale? Where is morale for police officers?”

Officer –  “It’s in the sewers. It’s down.  It’s the worse of the worse I’ve ever seen in my career.”

The officer told Miguel the spike in murders and gun crime was the direct result of a coordinated police work slowdown.

Miguel – “Why do you think there is a great increase in the crime rate and the number of shootings in this town?”

Officer – “Officers stopped being proactive.

Miguel –  “Not patrolling?”

Officer –  “Not patrolling.  Just stop being proactive.

Miguel –  “Not talking to the community?

Officer – “Not talking.  Stop being proactive.  I believe it is a direct result of officers holding back.”

35 murders so far this month alone.

People are walking into hospitals from gunshot wounds that may not have even been reported to police.

Residents tell reporters they see officers driving right past street fights and disturbances.

City leaders, like Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, are in the same predicament as New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio after two officers were murdered during unrest in that city.

Officers turned their backs to De Blasio as he visited injured officers in the hospital and at the officer’s funerals.

But officers in Baltimore, according to at least one of their own, are turning their backs on not only the Mayor but also the citizens they’re sworn to protect.

Here are a list of the shootings and homicides from this weekend.

Shooting

2300 Preston Street

May 22, 2015 4:08 pm

On May 22, 2015 at approximately 4:08 pm, officers responded to the 2300 block of Preston Street for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located a 21-year old male suffering from a gunshot wound to his shoulder. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment. His injury is reported to be non-life threating at this time. Eastern District Detectives are investigating and ask anyone with information to call 410 396 2433.

Homicide

Unit Block of Benkert Ave

Mayy 22, 2015 at approx 11:06 pm

On May 22,2015 at approximately 11:06 pm oficers responded to the intersection of W. Baltimore and N. Hilton St for a report of a dischargin of a firearm. Upon their arrival they located an adult male suffering from at least one gunshot wound to his torso. The victim was immediately transported to an area hospital for treatment. Despite all medical life saving efforts, he died because of his injuries at 11:37 pm. Through investigation, detectives have been able to determine that the shooting too place in the unit blk of Benkert Ave. Homicide detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information please call 410-396-2100.

Homicide

1900 Wilhelm St

May 22, 2015 at approx. 11:51 pm

On May 22, 2015 at approximately 11:51 pm, officers responded to the 1900 block of Wilhelm St for a report of firearms discharging. Upon arrival they located and adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to his head. Officers then located a second adult male victim who was suffering from a gunshot wound to his neck. As officers were securing the scene, a third, adult male, victim was located at the corner of Pratt and Payson St. The third victim was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. All the victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment. Despite life saving efforts, the first victim, who was shot in the head, died because of his injuries at 12:20 am. The second two victims are listed in critical condition at this time. Homicide detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information please contact them at 410-396-2100.

Shooting

1800 Edmondson Ave

May 23, 2015 at approx. 5:40 am

On May 23, 2015 at approximately 5:40 am, officers responded to the 1800 block of Edmonson Ave for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located an adult male was suffering from gunshot wounds to his leg and thigh. He was immediately transported to an area hospital for treatment. While at the hospital with the first victim, officers observed two additonal victims walk in to the hospital seeking treatment for gunshot wounds. Both victims were adult males, one was suffering from a gunshot wound to the thigh and the other male was suffering from a gunshot wound to the ankle. Western district detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information to please call 410-396-2477.

Homicide

100 S Augusta Ave

May 23, 2015 at approx 9:06 am

On May 23,2015 at approximately 9:06 am, officers responded to the 100 block of S Augusta Ave for a person reported to be laying in the alley. Upon arrival they located a male (age unknown at this time) suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Emergency medical assitance was immediately called. Despite their efforts the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information please contact them at 410-396-2100.

Homicide

2000 block of Hollins St

May 23, 2015 at approx. 1:33 pm

On May 23, 2015 at approximately 1:33 pm, officers responded to the intersection of Hollins and Payson St for a report of weapons discharging. Upon arrival they located an adult female suffering from a gunshot wound to her waist. The victim was immediately transported to an area hospital for treatment. Despite all lifesaving efforts, she died because of her injuries. Homicide detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information to please contact them at 410-396-2100.

Homicide

May 23, 2015 at approx. 2:17 pm

On May 23, 2015 at approximately 2:17 pm, officers responded to the 2800 block of St Lo Dr. for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Despite medical lifesaving efforts he died because of his injuries. Homicide detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information to please call 410-396-2100

Shooting

3200 block of E Northern Parkway

May 23, 2015 at approx. 2:53 pm

On May 23, 2015 at approximately 2:53 pm, officers responded to the 3200 block of E Northern Parkway for a report of a shooting. Upon their arrival they located and adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg. He was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. Northeast District Detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information please call 410-396-2444.

Shooting

1700 block of Normal Ave

May 23, 2015 at approx. 11:52 pm

On May 23, 2015 at approximately 11:52 pm, officers responded to the 1700 block of Normal Ave for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a 27 year old male suffering from a gunshot wound to his shoulder. The victim was transported to an area hopsital for treatment. Eastern District detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information please contact them at 410-396-2433. A motive and suspect for this incident are unknown at this time.

Shooting

800 block W Lexington St

May 24, 2015 at approx. 11:31 am

On May 24, 2015 at approximately 11:31 am officers responded to an area hospital for a report of a walk in shooting victim. Upon arrival, they were directed to an adult male who was being treated for a gunshot wound to the arm. Through investigation, detectives have determined that the shooting took place in the 800 block of W Lexington St. Western District detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information please call 410-396-2477.

Shooting

900 block of Ducatel St

May 24, 2015 at approx. 12:51 pm

On May 24, 2015 at approximately 12:51 pm, officers responded to the 900 block of Ducatel St for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival they located an adult male who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his abdomen. He was immediately transported to an area hospital for treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, Homicide detectives are investigating this incident. Detectives ask that anyone with information please call 410-396-2100.

Shooting

2300 block of E Preston St

May 24, 2015 at approx 3:55 pm

On May 24, 2015 at approximately 3:55 pm, officers responded to the 2300 block of E Preston St for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located two victims. The first victim, an adult male, was suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm. The second victim, also an adult male, was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Both victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment. Eastern District detectives are investiating and ask that anyone with information please contact them at 410-396-2433.

Update – Homicide

900 block of Ducatel St

May 24, 2015 at approx 12:51 pm

Despite all medical lifesaving efforts the victim of this incident has died because of his injuries.

Shooting

2100 block of Hollins St

May 24, 2015 at approx. 8:12 pm

On May 24, 2015 at approximately 8:12 pm, officers responded to the 2100 block of Hollins St for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival they located a male (age is unknown at this time) suffering from a gunshot wound to his back. They also located an adult female, who was suffering from a gunshot wound to her thigh. Both victims were transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. Southwest District detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information please call 410-396-2488.

Shooting

1600 block of Hazel St

May 24, 2015 at approximately 10:28 pm

On May 24, 2015 at approximately 10:28 pm, officers responded to the 1600 block of Hazel St for a report of discharging of a firearm. While there investigating, they received notification of a walk in shooting victim to an area hospital. Upon arrival to the hospital, officers were directed to an adult male who was suffering from a gunshot wound to his buttocks. The victim stated that he was shot by two masked men. No there are no further details available at this time. Southern District detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information please contact them at 410-396-2499.

Shooting

500 block of E 21st St

May 25, 2015 at approximately 12:13 am

On May 25, 2015 at approximately 12:13 am, officers responded to the 500 block of E 21st St for a call of a cutting. Upon arrival, officers located and adult male who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of his head. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment. He is listed in critical condition. Eastern District detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information please call 410-396-2433.

Homicide

800 block of W Fayette St

May 25, 2015 at approximately 12:29 am

On May 25, 2015 at approximately 12:29 am officers responded to the 800 block of W Fayette St for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival they located an adult male inside of a car suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers then located a second victim, and adult female who was shot in the back, laying on the street. Both victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment. Despite all medical lifesaving efforts, the adult male died because of his injuries at 2:38 am. The female victim is listed in critical but stable condition. Homicide detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information please call 410-396-2100.

Homicide

5300 St Georges Ave

May 25, 2015 at approximately 1:43 am

On May 25, 2015 at approximately 1:43 am, officers responded to the 5300 block of St Georges Ave for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located and adult male who was suffering from gunshot wounds to his chest and leg. He was immediately transported to an area hospital for treatment. Despite all medical lifesaving efforts he died because of his injuries. While investigating this incident, a juvenile (17 year old) male walked into an area hospital seeking treatment for a gunshot wound to his arm. Additionally, a second adult male walked into an area hospital seeking treatment for a gunshot / graze wound to his head. Detectives have determined that all of these injuries are the result of the same incident. Detectives ask that anyone with information please call 410-396-2100.

Shooting

5200 Midwood Ave

May 25, 2015 at approximately 4:09 am

On May 25, 2015 at approximately 4:09 am officers responded to an area hospital for a report of walk in shooting victim. Upon arrival, they were directed to and adult male who was suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg. Northern District detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information please call 410-396-2455 with any information.

Like BlackAmericaWeb.com on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.