Posted on 09/06/25
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 6, 2025 - Residents of Park Heights expressed their concerns about crime and safety as Mayor Brandon Scott and Governor Wes Moore participated in a crime walk in the community Friday. The event highlighted the historic lows in shootings and homicides in Baltimore, but residents remain worried about ongoing violence.
"People using the guns, but you got to look at the source. Who's bringing the guns into the community?" one man said, reflecting the community's frustration with gun violence.
While some residents support initiatives like crime walks, others are skeptical of their long-term impact. Jabazz, a Park Heights resident, said, "Won't deter crime. It'll probably stop it at the moment because the mayor coming through the community." He added, "No, it's not going to stop nothing. It's just going to put a hold on it at that moment. And then after they leave, little while later, it's going to pick back up."
Community leader Patricia Rideout-Howard emphasized the purpose of the walks, saying, "The crime walks are not to stop it when they walk down the street. The walks are to learn what's going on on the streets and talk to the people as to how the people feel that it can be changed."
The idea of deploying the National Guard to assist with crime prevention was met with mixed reactions. Jabazz expressed concerns, saying, "I don't think it's a good thing. No, I don't think it's a good thing. Just going to be harassing people for no reason." Patricia Rideout-Howard added, "I'm not going to say it's totally bad. But I do think really that it is a bad idea because that's only temporary. And it's not something that will stay."
The community's voices were heard as they continue to seek solutions to the challenges they face.