A heavy wave of crime is sweeping over major cities across America right now. The people being harmed the most are civilians and small business owners. One group of business owners has decided it is time to do something about it.

Fells Point, Has A Point

In Baltimore, Maryland, 37 Fells point businesses wrote and signed a letter addressing city officials and their lack of response to the widespread crime in the area. Three people were shot on a Saturday night, prompting the businesses to take action.

In the letter, they wrote, "We have reached our breaking point. Our elected leaders have closed their eyes and ears and turned their backs on our community for long enough. We are fed up and frustrated, and we now realize that nothing will change unless we demand action.”

The business owners point out the rather large error the city has made in instructing officers to "ignore" minor crimes creating an environment where criminal activity has become rampant, including open-air drug sales and fights.

“When it comes to prostitution, public urination and defecation, and the illegal sale and consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs on the streets, we know these crimes are not as serious as the carjacking's, shootings, and homicides that have become routine. But, as this past weekend proved, a culture of lawlessness rarely remains confined to petty offenses and invariably leads to the kinds of violence and tragedy we witnessed late Saturday night.” 

Fells Point Business Owners

Low-Level Crime

Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby stated that the office would not prosecute lower-level crimes, clearing 1,500 arrest warrants for things like open container violations, public urination, and low-level drug possession.

Mosby defended her position by saying, “It’s about resource allocation. You can’t have it both ways. We want to deploy our officers in a way that makes sense for trying to change the trajectory of violence in our city.”

Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement that the Mayor is "working tirelessly to hold people committing violence accountable."

Slippery Slope

While low-level crimes may be deemed unworthy of an officer's time, other entry-level crimes can be used by criminals to test the waters. The waters have become very welcoming in Baltimore, especially with 143 homicides and 288 non-fatal shootings since the beginning of 2021.