There will be many moving parts to the solutions and challenges ahead for the city of Baltimore. It remains to be seen how these challenges will be met. The problems prevalent in Baltimore have many, varied, long-festering causes. They do not simply begin with the tragedy of the death of one man.
However, Baltimore has demonstrated, over the years, a capacity to grow and develop. That challenge presents itself again.
The request of the mayor and city council to have the U.S. Department of Justice intervene in the functioning of the police department indicates a liberal approach in attempting to solve problems. Does the Mayor lack confidence that local and state agencies are capable and fair in looking into any reforms or improvements that should be made in the Baltimore Police Department? This certainly indicates that the mayor does not have great faith in her own community. This move by the mayor only ensures more federal intervention in local issues and imposing federal standards on more law enforcement agencies. This has been the trend with the current administration in Washington.
Then there is the fair administration of justice. Certainly, a critical factor in the Baltimore civil unrest is determining if there was a rush to judgment on the part of the State’s Attorney. Was her decision a political gambit or the use of prosecutorial discretion? The ongoing legal battle, while necessary, will continue to cast negative aspersions on Baltimore City. Although police injustice cannot be tolerated, justice must be applied in a firm and fair and unbiased manner.
Then there is the matter of the schools and the teachers union in the ongoing systemic problems of the city. It appears that teachers unions have become little more than protective employment agencies for both certified and non-certified teachers. For both educational and political reasons, the teachers unions have evolved into centers of political power. This power has become too dominant and constantly threatens the ability of local school officials in advancing and implementing innovative and positive educational programs.
Then there is housing. A long-time hallmark of the “American dream,” home ownership improves properties, instills pride, and helps swell the tax base. Housing policies of the past have significantly failed. There is a need for new, innovative, and appropriate policies to enhance home ownership in the inner city. Again, well-conceived local initiatives may yield better solutions than federal control. Perhaps enterprise zones, with job creation tied to housing development is an approach worthy of consideration.
Also, there is the need for jobs, meaningful jobs that allow families to grow and flourish. Government can encourage job formation; however, it is the private sector that actually creates and sustains employment. With all the work necessary to revitalize inner cities, surely private sector–government partnerships can be created to meet many needs and generate new opportunities. Thinking outside the box and seeking new concepts while understanding realities are surely needed. The liberal dogma of the past to simply throw money at problems and placate citizens has proven wrong. Explaining policies and educating citizens in these truths must be a central focus of local governments. These concepts must be understood in order to ensure tranquility and secure progress, not just
Explaining policies and educating citizens in these truths must be a central focus of local governments. These concepts must be understood in order to ensure tranquility and secure progress, not just
meteoric.
Baltimore has worked long and hard to become a tourist destination. There is no question that sections of Baltimore took a hard hit when the riots and looting were splashed across television screens all over the nation. Gaining back the confidence of potential visitors will take time, innovative strategies, and hard work.
There is much to see and do in Baltimore, such as: the Orioles, the Ravens, the Inner Harbor, and Fort McHenry, which gave us “The Star Spangled Banner” and reminds us daily that this nation remains “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
Steve Payne says
I agree. Baltimore had already started to climb back 10 years before to the real estate crash in 2008. It’s more evident on the east side than the west. But, yes, employment is the key.
https://madewithloveinbaltimore.org/
Joe Diamond says
Is that what Fletcher was saying…………….people need jobs?
The list of Baltimore businesses you posted is impressive in a strip mall kind of way. The businesses Baltimore no longer has are mom and pop operations like U.S. Steel, Bethlehem Steel, General Motors Chevrolet Division, Continental Can, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, EsKay Meats, all the brewers, McCormick Spice, Pittsburg Paints, Maryland Cup and others. That last one, Maryland Cup moved out to Baltimore County…their old building is part of the current baseball park.
Baltimore has been abandoned by the businesses that spawned other businesses; the hundreds of business with mortgage paying middle class wages. The symbolic transformation is the need for minimum wage vendors at sports events while welders and machinists need not apply. If you can change bedsheets sweep floors: welcome.
Drugs destroyed the place…it is a smoking pit with great Inner Harbor (aging) venues. The cops are at war with the local population. Parents don’t worry about their children getting into college……they worry they will be shot by druggies or cops before they are old enough to get out of town.
Fletcher has it backward. You have to be brave to have a home in Baltimore. Many are not free to leave.
As Fletcher says: The problems prevalent in Baltimore have many, varied, long-festering causes. They do not simply begin with the tragedy of the death of one man.
No cure in sight.