BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Baltimore Police say they will continue to have increased patrols, targeted enforcement and community engagement in and around the Inner Harbor following incidents within the past two weekends.
Seven juveniles were arrested during large disturbances this past Sunday evening.
The gatherings were promoted on social media as a “teen link-up,” police said.
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The Commissioner released a statement vowing to hold parents accountable.
Law enforcement expert Jason Johnson says it’s a necessary move.
“It’s problematic on a number of fronts. First of all, it is dangerous for the kids. It’s dangerous because of the violence associated with it. It’s also a danger for the other people who just happen to be there,” Johnson stated.
Johnson also pointed out the critical resources used by BPD to respond to the unrest.
“It involved Foxtrot and involved officers from districts all over the city. And these districts can’t afford to give up the officers that are assigned to those districts,”Johnson continued.
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The City is not alone. A poster circulating on social media advertises a “Towson Link-up” at Towson Town Center in April.
Baltimore County Police wrote in part,
“The Baltimore County Police Department is aware of the social media post and appreciates everyone who has shared it with us. The Department is actively monitoring link-up activity and evaluating resources to ensure a response that is both timely and appropriate. Through patrol, aviation, drones, and real-time intelligence, precinct commanders are equipped with the most current information, allowing informed decisions to be made as incidents develop. The Department is encouraging parents and guardians to monitor their children’s whereabouts. When a link up occurs, young people may quickly find themselves in large crowds, navigating unfamiliar and potentially unsafe situations. Talk with your children. Ask them about their plans and discuss different “what if” scenarios so they know how to respond to situations that may not feel right. In mid-March the Department launched a social media campaign that encourages parents to stay in touch with their children and have a plan to get them home safely, keeping in mind that rideshares may be unavailable. Last week, the Department began to share a public service announcement that many in the Baltimore area will remember from their youth. Today, that message remains just as relevant, as social media allows plans to form and spread faster than ever.”
Johnson says parental accountability is a necessary move.
“That’s sort of a band aid is having law enforcement overtly present and taking action when necessary. The police department, both Baltimore City and the counties obviously monitor announcements like this to go out on social media to try to learn of their, you know, the activities so that they can be ahead of that. And that’s good. But that doesn’t solve the problem,” Johnson said. “And ultimately, I think the problem is that you’ve got young people that have ill intent in many cases. It’s not just young people that wanna meet up to socialize. If that were it, it wouldn’t be a problem. The problem is, it comes with violence and so, and other problems. So I think the answer is, is that and then the mayor I think is actually going down the right road is that there’s gotta be parental accountability.”
No further arrests have been made following the incidents on Sunday.
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