Baltimore to Reinstate Enforcement of Low-Level Nonviolent Offenses

Baltimore is set to reinstate the enforcement of approximately two dozen low-level, nonviolent offenses, including drug possession and trespassing, starting June 12. This decision marks a significant shift from the hands-off approach adopted during the past three years under former State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

At a press conference on Thursday, State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, joined by the mayor and police commissioner, outlined the new plan aimed at enhancing accountability for minor offenses. Under the new initiative, adult offenders will initially receive two citations and be offered community service before facing potential prosecution, fines, or jail time.

“There’s going to be some accountability and order in Baltimore,” Bates asserted during the announcement. The plan fulfills a campaign promise made by Bates, who pledged to reverse Mosby’s policy of not prosecuting nonviolent offenses that began at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

Under the new citation system, adults cited for first and second offenses will be referred to community service and social services, with the opportunity for charges to be dropped if they comply. However, individuals with pending violent crime charges, or those on parole or probation for violent offenses, will not be eligible for this diversion.

For those who receive a third citation, prosecution will proceed, with penalties ranging from fines to potential jail time. For example, riding a dirt bike in the city could result in a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Police Commissioner Michael Harrison emphasized that this approach is not intended to revert to aggressive policing methods of the past. “What this is not and will not be is mass incarceration or aggressive policing,” he stated.

Critics of the plan, including Marguerite Lanaux, the district public defender for Baltimore, expressed concerns that the enforcement of low-level offenses could disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Lanaux argued that this approach could lead to increased police encounters that might escalate into serious incidents.

The new citation system will apply exclusively to adults, while cases involving minors will continue to be handled within the juvenile justice system. Court dates for those receiving citations will be set, with the first hearings scheduled for the week of July 17.

Various law enforcement agencies, including Baltimore police and campus police, will be responsible for issuing citations under this new plan.

Reported by HarborBeat based on thebanner.com (source).