Baltimore creating ‘War Room’ to confront violence

July 15, 2015 in News by RBN Staff

“Rawlings-Blake, the mayor, said the “War Room” will allow for flawless collaboration between law enforcement agencies.

Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and state and federal prosecutors will be involved in the effort to confront violence.”

Source: PressTV
Mon Jul 13, 2015 1:41AM

Authorities in the US city of Baltimore say they are creating a “War Room” to bring numerous agencies together to combat rising violence in the predominantly black city.

The announcement was made during a press conference on Sunday by officials, including Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and interim Police Commissioner Kevin Davis.

They said the effort will put state and local officials together in a single location, where they will devise and implement plans to curb violence.

Davis said the agencies will collaborate with each other to deal with the small number of criminals who he said are responsible for the majority of violence.

He added that officials have identified four different groups which are behind a disproportionate amount of the crime afflicting the city.

Police in riot gear charge as they try to push protesters away during a march in honor of Freddie Gray on April 25, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (AFP photo)

Rawlings-Blake, the mayor, said the “War Room” will allow for flawless collaboration between law enforcement agencies.

Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and state and federal prosecutors will be involved in the effort to confront violence.

Police have struggled to stop the growing violence in the city since the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, a black who died in police custody on April 19, a week after an encounter with police left him severely injured.

His death set off weeks of unrest in Baltimore and prompted Mayor Rawlings-Blake to put the city under a five-day curfew.

Protesters hold signs as they stand off with the police at Camden Yard during a march in honor of Freddie Gray on April 25, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (AFP photo)

A total of 43 people were killed in Baltimore during May, making it the deadliest month in over 40 years.

It was the worst homicide rate for the troubled city since 1972, when 45 people were killed, according to the Baltimore Sun.