BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A new UMBC poll on improving the Inner Harbor area has residents saying they want to see an improvement to public safety the most.
In the poll, Baltimore City residents were asked, “What amenities, business, or other factors would make downtown Baltimore City–the area near the Inner Harbor–a better place to visit or work?”
The poll reports that while 21% didn’t know how to answer, 23% say they want to see improvements to public safety.
“Safety is a big thing. It’s like you can’t walk around here without being sometimes a little scared,” said Baltimore City resident Crystal Guerrero. “Like, there were kids out, and they kicked my dog, and it’s like, what are they teaching in these schools?”
“I don’t want a moped or motorbike running over my grandson or me jumping out of the way, and a couple of times I’ve actually had to,” Baltimore City resident Mel Alexander. “So I would say I would recommend highly, maybe more police visibility on foot.”
In recent weeks, FOX45 has shown you cell phone video of dirt bike riders weaving through traffic along Light Street.
In that incident, Baltimore police say 40 dirt bikers were in the area, and one rider was even involved in a crash.
A large fight also broke out near the Maryland Science Center, followed by gunfire.
“Public safety is the issue these days, isn’t it? I mean, a lot of people are nervous,” said Local economist Anirban Basu. “We need to redevelop the Inner Harbor. It’s an opportunity. It’s not just a challenge, it’s an opportunity.”
The second most important, according to the UMBC poll, 16% say they want to see expanded business development, retail, and dining.
“I think it has a lot of hope, potential,” said Guerrero. “But I’m not sure where the money is or where the people are, where the investors are, where their train of thought is, and it’s kind of frustrating.”
“Part of the issues that people have is with the crime, you know what I mean, and the influx of kids coming down and doing these meetups, it affects us all, you know?” said Cuples Tea House/Vinyl and Pages co-owner Lynette Dodson. “People get scared. My mother won’t come downtown, you know what I mean? And so I know that people are affected by it.”
The HarborPlace pavilion is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dodson’s business is located on the Light Street side. She says she and her husband used to visit the Inner Harbor back in high school and college, and she’s seen the changes firsthand.
“I feel it was COVID that really just put a nail in the coffin for Harbor Place. I mean, it was you know the H&M store that finally shuttered, and it just kind of was a trickle-down effect from there,” said Dodson. “We’re on the struggle bus right now, you know what I’m saying? Because people think that Harbor Place is closed. And while all of the planning and the phases are happening, we are still here.”
The Cheesecake Factory, a staple of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for nearly three decades, closed in January 2026.
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Morton’s Steakhouse also closed that same month, and while some businesses continue to close surrounding the Inner Harbor, new construction is expected to begin this fall on a $900 million redevelopment with apartment towers, two-tiered new Promenade, an amphitheater, and more.
Some tell FOX45 they are hopeful these plans will create a better environment and bring more people to Baltimore.
“I probably came to Baltimore probably back in the early 80s, so the transformation, I think, is timely,” said Alexander.
“Once the construction is done and the buildings are up and all of it’s nice and shiny and new, you know, people will come back,” said Dodson.
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