Baltimore Police to continue weekend roadblocks, traffic controls in Fells Point

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — As another busy weekend nears in Baltimore, police say they will keep using roadblocks and other traffic control measures in Fells Point as part of an effort to “disrupt illegal activity” and respond to “teen takeovers” and crime this summer.

The continued initiative follows highlighted incidents in June, when large crowds flooded Fells Point and, at times, turned violent, when two weekends ended in gunfire.

Some visitors said the police presence and traffic restrictions make them feel safer. Jim Berry, who was visiting Fells Point with his wife on a weekend trip from Pittsburgh, said, “Makes me feel safe. That’s how it makes me feel safe and makes me feel more secure.” Berry added, “We want to be out and enjoy the fresh air with anybody else, like the young. We all deserve it. We all do deserve it, yeah. So they just make us feel more safe by knowing that our backs will be in watched.”

Businesses have also voiced frustration over open drinking and illegal alcohol sales, along with the impact of road closures and crime on the area’s economy. Ron Rurman, owner of Max’s Taphouse, said, “It’s cost us millions, and I’m not kidding, when I say millions of dollars, having the roads blocked off…It’s cost us millions of dollars from having crime that’s been going on and you know, we can’t exist going forward like this.”

Some residents, however, said the road closures are a welcome step.

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Baltimore resident Robert Blanding said, “Well, I think it’s an excellent thing because it’s creating some structure.”

Blanding also pointed to changes over time in the neighborhood, “This is Fells Point. I remember we were coming down to Fells point when I was young and I’m only, 40 years old. We could come down here and hang out, have a good time and it wasn’t no barricades, no need for it, because…I’m not saying our generation now don’t have, all of them don’t the structure, but a lot of us had that structure.”

Other residents questioned whether the barriers will address underlying problems.

Kolby Hawkins, city resident, said, “Obviously it doesn’t solve the core issue, right.”

“Putting up Jersey barriers and cinder blocks and things like that is a temporary, if not maybe an ineffective solution, to be completely honest. But I understand, it’s good that the city has a response and wants to keep innocent residents safe,” said Hawkins.