B2
The Afro-American, May 19, 2018 - May 25, 2018
Race and Politics Continued from D1
current system of policing is dismantled and rebuilt, based on “power with” the community. But, in the meantime, we need people in BPD who really do their best, given the effed up system.” Some may disagree with Bridgeford’s assertion that she doesn’t “care if you are unorganized in your own finances.” And they may take issue with her not caring whether or not the police commissioner, or any other public servant, cheats on their spouse. But, I would take issue with anybody who doesn’t believe Baltimore’s criminal justice system and specifically, the Baltimore Police Department is “effed up.” And I think there is consensus that we want our leaders to “do their best.” And Bridgeford believes De Sousa was doing his best confronted with a dire situation within the BPD and our city. “Up close, I saw what Darryl De Sousa was doing. I saw
him be more transparent with grassroots leaders than any previous commissioner. I saw him work with grassroots leaders to help keep people from getting killed, in some of Baltimore’s
State’s Attorney
De Sousa
Continued from B1 subsequent uprising, Mosby charged the six officers connected to Gray’s death on a variety of charges on May 1, 2015 (the officers were officially indicted by a grand jury May 21, 2015). The move sparked the ire of many law enforcement agencies across the nation and the praise of law enforcement reform advocates and people who have been victims of police misconduct around the country and the world (The first trial, William Porter was declared a mistrial, Brian Rice, Caesar Goodson and Edward Nero were found not guilty by bench trial, and all charges against Alicia White, Garrett Miller and Porter were dropped). Beyond the 92 percent felony conviction rate touted by Mosby, her office also argues it has convicted every public enemy number one brought to trial since 2015. Mosby is married to Baltimore City Delegate Nick Mosby (D-40). Ivan Bates Bates graduated with honors from Howard University and subsequently obtained his law degree from William and Mary. After law school, Bates clerked for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. After moving to Baltimore in 1995, Bates also clerked for the Hon. David B. Mitchell in the Circuit Court of Baltimore City. He is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the 32nd Air Defense Artillery unit. A veteran trial attorney, Bates has worked as a prosecutor in the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office led by Patricia Jessamy, in the Juvenile Crime Division and later in the Homicide Division, where he says he never lost a murder trial. Bates is a former president of the Monumental Bar Twitter Photo Association. He is a senior partner at the law firm of Bates and Garcia, which he started in 2006.
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… I think there is consensus that we want our leaders to “do their best.” darkest hours in the last month. I saw him care about Baltimore, not just with his words, but with his actions. I saw him be open to feedback. I saw him be responsive to residents and help with things they needed,” Bridgeford added. “Nobody is perfect. If the places I fail in my personal life
ever became public information, people would be out here hunting for my head...regardless of how good I am at what I do. I’m not saying I agree with De Sousa’s every strategy...because I disagree with a lot of policing strategies. But, given what the policing system currently is, the man was doing his best. He was someone I trusted in that position.” And I trust Bridgeford’s opinion and her leadership on this and she’s not the only person whose opinion I trust who backs the former commissioner. Baltimore took a big loss this week, now that De Sousa is out of the chair. Sean Yoes is the Baltimore editor of the AFRO and host and executive producer of the AFRO First Edition, which airs Monday and Friday at 5 p.m. on the AFRO’s Facebook page.
Continued from B1 speculation that a string of federal indictments, which have exposed deep rooted corruption are far from over, DeSousa’s case included. “It’s not a simple tax thing, if that’s it you’d have to prosecute half the city,” Hopson said. “I think there is more to it.” After the tax charges against De Sousa were announced May 10, Mayor Catherine Pugh initially expressed support for her pick to lead the department. The next day the mayor suspended him and just a few days later De Sousa resigned. It’s a sequence of events Hopson says implies federal authorities have communicated with Pugh. “I think the feds finally told the mayor what’s going on,” Hopson said. Some who advise Pugh say the decision to suspend De Sousa was difficult for the mayor.
“I know she believes he was the best person to address the relationship between the department and community and reduce crime at the same time,” Powers said. “She is devastated by this.” A spokesman for the
Bentley previously served as the AFRO’s associate editor. “She deliberated further with all of the facts and with further discussion with Commissioner De Sousa, as well as with the City Solicitor and senior staff to arrive at the
mayor said she made the decision to seek De Sousa’s resignation gradually after conferring with other city officials. “The Mayor was informed of this matter Thursday afternoon, as most others learned of it,” her spokesman James Bentley said in an email. Full disclosure:
decision she announced on Friday.” When asked specifically if the mayor had conferred with federal prosecutors, Bentley said no. Some argue the mayor’s unilateral control over the BPD, coupled with the inability of a succession of city leaders to hold top
commanders accountable, may have foreshadowed De Sousa’s downfall, especially for a department that was subject of a scathing justice department report which found systemic use of unconstitutional tactics targeted primarily against African-Americans. “This should spark the conversation of local control of the BPD,” said Baltimore City Councilman Brandon Scott (D-2), who is also running for lieutenant governor. In the past Scott has consistently touted civilian oversight of police. He has also sought legislation that would change the department from a state agency to city controlled. A move he said is needed now more than ever. “There is not much the council can do to hold the department accountable from our perspective,” Scott said. “We’re literally handcuffed.”
2200 block of Ramsay St., also in South Baltimore, but officers found him in the 300 block of S. Stricker St. BPD did not disclose information on how the man got to another location and why he didn’t seek treatment after he was shot. About two hours later at 7:30 p.m, officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 4700 block of York Rd., in Northeast Baltimore
community of Kernewood. Officers found a 32-year old man suffering from gunshot wounds and transported him to a local hospital. Also on May 15, at 10:30 p.m. BPD found two adult males, both aged 22, in a car that had crashed in East Baltimore in the 3400 block of Madison St. Officers were initially responding to a call for gunshots almost three miles away in the 5500 block
of Bowleys Lane. Authorities stated that the men were shot in the Bowleys Lane location where they were originally dispatched, and drove to Madison street where they crashed. There are no suspects in any of the shootings. Police are urging anyone with any information to call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7Lockup or detectives at 410-396-2221.
“It’s not a simple tax thing, if that’s it you’d have to prosecute half the city.” – BPD Sgt. Louis Hopson
Shootings Continued from D1
1200 block of Sargeant St., around 12:15 p.m. but found no victim. A short time later, a 38-year-old man walked into an area hospital and police were called. The man told police he had been shot on Sargeant St. His injuries are non-life threatening and he’s expected to survive. Around 5:15 p.m. on May 15, a 28-year old man was shot in the lower body in the