Council President Scott To Host Press Conference On Long-Fought Police Redistricting Legislation

Council President Scott To Host Press Conference On
Long-Fought Police Redistricting Legislation

Thursday Morning Press Event Will Also Center On Civilianization Of BPD

BALTIMORE, MD (October 9, 2019) — Baltimore City Council President Brandon M. Scott will host a press conference on Thursday, October 10 at 9:00AM at the HARBEL Community Organization, 5807 Harford Road, to discuss the significance of two policing-related laws passed this year by the Maryland General Assembly that will impact police districts and the number of civilians employed by the force. 

The Council President will be joined by: 
     — Senator Cory McCray, District 45 - Baltimore City
     — Delegate Stephanie Smith, District 45 - Baltimore City
     — Mike Hilliard, HARBEL Community Organization
     — Sean Stinnett, Northwestern District Police Community Relations Council
     — Kenneth Harris, Jr., son of Councilman Kenneth N. Harris Sr.

Senate Bill 39/House Bill 528, “Baltimore City - Police Districts - Redistricting,” will require the Baltimore Police Commissioner to adjust the geographic boundaries and composition of the city’s nine police districts after each census. This law ends the current deployment of police resources based on a 30-year-old model that does not account for current housing and population data. 

“Every city official who has represented Northeast Baltimore since  the late Councilman Ken Harris first took up the charge has fought for our police districts to represent our current population,” said Council President Scott, who represented Baltimore’s 2nd District on the Baltimore City Council prior to becoming Council President. “Our police districts deserve to have the appropriate resources. I’m thankful for the leadership of Senator McCray and Delegate Smith, who finally got it done this session.” 

Senator Cory McCray, who sponsored the redistricting measure in the Senate said, “I am proud to have worked with Councilman Scott, Delegate Stephanie Smith, the Mayor, and the Baltimore City Delegation on the passage of Senate Bill 39. This bill requires the Baltimore City Police Commissioner to reexamine the boundaries and composition of each police district following the completion of each decennial census. This will help ensure that law enforcement resources are being deployed in the most effective manner.”

“We can’t provide quality 21st century policing with districts designed for 20th century needs,” said Delegate Stephanie Smith, who sponsored the bill in the House. “Updating how we apportion our police districts is essential to efficiently managing our law enforcement resources.”

Senate Bill 499, “Baltimore City - Baltimore Police Department - Percentage of Civilian Employees,” will require the Baltimore Police Department to be comprised of 20% civilian employees by January 1, 2022. The bill aims to put more sworn officers on the streets currently working in administrative roles, and instead hiring civilian employees to perform those duties. 

“Addressing violent crime in Baltimore means using our resources wisely. Senate Bill 499 works to put more sworn officers on the streets, freeing them up from administrative roles that could be performed by civilians,” said the bill’s sponsor, Senator Antonio Hayes (District 40, Baltimore City). “This bill sets a target for civilianizing the Baltimore Police Department and bringing our city in line with other jurisdictions.”