OVER-POLICED YET UNDERSERVED POLICE MISCONDUCT IN WEST BALTIMORE

legitimate public safety concern), 73% as unwanted (not desired
by those subject to the intervention), and 86% as excessive (the
intervention resulted in a response that was disproportionate to
what was expected or necessary in the circumstances described).
Excessive punitive measures encompass acts of physical violence
directed toward victims, which are reported in 57% of interventions,
but may also constitute extended periods of detention, including
“walk throughs” (46% of cases), and abusive, demeaning, and subordinating
language (57% of cases).
Several stories give a sobering illustration of the routine and
excessive stops and searches West Baltimore residents endure:
““
The officer picked me up and slammed me on my face, took my backpack
off, and threw all my books out, and when they didn’t find anything
kicked me in my stomach. I was just happy they didn’t lock me
up and bounced.
—Mr. K., Resident
One witness, Mr. P., was on his way home from school and
stopped at the corner of Fulton and North Avenues to chat with
some friends. As they were talking, two unmarked cars pulled
up, and eight officers ordered all the students to get down on the
ground. A police officer subjected the witness to a “vulgar” and
invasive search, which included the officer putting his hand in
the witness’ underwear and handling his genitals. The officer also
slapped him. His friends were treated in a similar fashion. All were
let go without being charged with any crimes.
LACK OF POSITIVE INTERACTIONS WITH THE POLICE
The perception that, as one participant stated, “officers need
to be trained in human relations” accompanied a widespread belief
that a lack of proactive engagement by law enforcement in schools
and neighborhoods weakened trust and mutual understanding
between police and community-members. Many informants
lamented the withdrawal of engagement efforts and linked it to a
decline in community confidence in law enforcement.
A COMMUNITY PARK IN WEST BALTIMORE
A reflection by one informant
concisely articulated the worrisome
effects of “Law and Order”-
type policing:
““
By the time we were teenagers, we
didn’t trust the police at all. And
when the crack epidemic descended
on Baltimore and the so-called
war on drugs was declared with
street sweeping and military tactics,
it shifted to ‘us against them.’
When things became violent in our
community, we were all suspects
and treated as such. It was nothing
to be stopped and searched by
the police. As a young Black man
in a high crime area, it was actually
routine.
—Mr. W., Resident
One informant recounts:
““
I ask my granddaughter, ‘Do Officer
Friendly come in y’ all school?’
She said, ‘What that, ma?’
I said, ‘Lord, have mercy.
—Ms. M., Resident
Repeatedly, informants stressed
the “need to have officers trained in
public relations,” to “know how to
talk to people.” A number of informants
expressed a deep respect for
police officers and an earnest desire
14 NO BOUNDARIES COALITION