City Council Remains Silent Amid Transparency Issues with MONSE

As concerns regarding transparency in the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) intensify, the Baltimore City Council has remained largely unresponsive.

Inquiries made by FOX45 News to all 15 council members regarding the need for an oversight or investigative hearing have yielded minimal responses, with only one council member willing to speak publicly.

The controversy originated last month when Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates expressed frustration over MONSE's refusal to provide information related to victims and witnesses. Following this, Bates severed ties with MONSE, escalating the situation. The Public Defender’s Office has since supported Bates in a legal review, while City Inspector General Isabel Cumming has raised concerns about her access to records associated with MONSE being restricted.

With the situation evolving, attention has turned to the City Council, which holds oversight responsibilities. FOX45 sought the council members’ opinions on whether an investigative hearing is warranted, how to ensure accountability without one, and their thoughts on the Inspector General’s limited subpoena powers.

City Council President Zeke Cohen did not provide a written statement, while Councilman Mark Conway was the sole member to engage in an interview. Conway emphasized the critical role of the Inspector General in maintaining accountability among city officials and expressed concern over the restrictions on her access.

“It is concerning for me to see her access blocked from the administration,” Conway stated, noting that this raises further questions that need to be addressed promptly.

Although Conway acknowledged the potential benefits of an oversight hearing, he has not made a definitive decision on whether to pursue one. He expressed a desire for more information regarding the decisions that led to the current situation.

“If we believe there are problems... and our Inspector General can help us with that, why wouldn't we let her do her job?” he asked.

Conway plans to communicate his concerns directly to Mayor Brandon Scott, though he did not disclose the specifics of his message. As of now, the Mayor's office has not responded to inquiries about MONSE's potential participation in an oversight hearing.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).