Law enforcement expert says more support, resources key in addressing Fells Point concerns

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Frustration in Fells Point has prompted questions for police and city leaders in Baltimore.

Large and at times disorderly crowds filled Fells Point this past weekend.

ALSO READ | Fells Point businesses raise concern over juveniles, open containers, illegal liquor sales

Business owners shared with FOX45 News images of empty liquor bottles in trash cans and pouches they say are being used to sell alcohol without a proper permit.

“These kids are smoking weed, they’re drinking liquor, they’re underage, they have people selling alcohol that don’t have a liquor license, don’t pay taxes on their purchases, don’t have to buy from a licensed purveyor. All the things that we have to do to own a business,” Patrick Russell, owner of Kooper’s Tavern and Slainte, said.

“There were thousands of people down here,” Beth Hawks, the owner of a boutique shop called Zelda Zen, said. “There were open containers, handles of liquor, weed, people screaming, jumping on cars, twerking.”

“It’s exhausting. It’s not gotten better. We haven’t seen it this bad since the pandemic,” Hawks added.

FOX45 News sent a list of questions to Baltimore Police asking:

• How many arrests were made in the historic district and for what crime?
• Was anyone cited for the illegal sale of alcohol?
• How many open container citations were issued?
• Was anyone cited for disorderly conduct?
• Were any juveniles arrested? If so, for what crime?
• Did BPD enforce the curfew for juveniles?
• Was BPD’s Entertainment Unit in Fells Point over the weekend?
• If so, what adjustments, if any, are being made to address the above issues?

Baltimore Police acknowledged the request.

Sgt. Betsy Brandner Smith, a spokesperson for the National Police Association, weighed in as a law enforcement expert.

“This is one of those situations that tends to rise up as things, as the weather gets warmer, as tourism starts up again when kids get out of school, and people start to travel,” Sgt. Smith said. “This is very frustrating for the business owners.”

Smith believes more support from city and state leadership, as well as more officers on the force would help address some of these issues.

“In this area of Baltimore, if you had the proper number of police officers on the ground, on foot patrol, on bicycles, on horseback who were not only patrolling to stop illegal activity, but also interacting with people in a community, policing in a preventative manner, we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation,” she said.