Arguing that a shortage of police officers is a major contributing factor to Baltimore's crime problem, City Council President Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake will propose today spending an additional $2 million in city reserve funds to launch a new recruitment drive to fill the ranks.
The proposal calls on Mayor Sheila Dixon's administration to use the $2 million from reserve funds to pay for public service announcements, banners and recruitment material geared toward high school graduates. Rawlings-Blake will also ask the state to contribute money to the city's effort.
Vacancies have been a persistent problem for the Police Department for years, in part because Baltimore offers less pay than many surrounding jurisdictions in Maryland. The Police Department has money in its budget to pay more than 3,100 sworn positions, but 140 of those are vacant, city officials said.
"When you go to community association meetings, everyone is saying the same thing: `We need to see more officers,'" said Rawlings-Blake, who is running for election this year. "When you're down in sworn strength, you become stuck in a pattern of chasing 911 calls."
Rawlings-Blake's proposal, which she is expected to officially unveil today, is the second time this year she has challenged Dixon -- who is generally considered an ally -- on crime. In April, Rawlings-Blake introduced a resolution asking city leaders to appear before the council to outline specific plans for reducing crime.
That request generated considerable attention at the time, but a hearing has not been scheduled. A Rawlings-Blake aide said the meeting will take place in June.
Rawlings-Blake plans to introduce the proposal as a nonbinding resolution in the City Council. If the resolution passed, it would be a strong statement of the council's position in an election year.
The plan proposes diverting $2 million from the city's $75 million reserve fund. An unspecified amount of money would also be sought from the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention to help pay for the recruiting campaign.
Rawlings-Blake also is asking that 15 state troopers be assigned to a task force focused on locating wanted suspects.
Kristen M. Mahoney, executive director of the state's crime control office, said she is willing to discuss the recruiting idea with city officials.
