Baltimore will no longer prosecute possession of drugs, prostitution and other minor crimes

Baltimore will no longer prosecute possession of drugs, prostitution and other minor crimes

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Mosby made the announcement on Friday after his office’s year-long experience in not prosecuting minor crimes to slow the spread of Covid-19 behind bars.

“Today, America’s war on drug users is over in the city of Baltimore. We have left behind the era of harsh crime prosecutions and zero tolerance policing and have no longer assumed the status quo to criminalize mainly people of color for addiction, Mosby said in an official press release.

The experiment, known as The Covid Criminal Justice Policies, is an approach to crime developed with public health officials. Rather than prosecuting people arrested for minor crimes, such as prostitution and urinating in public, the program treated these crimes as public health issues and worked with community partners to help find solutions.

The program reduced Baltimore’s overall incarcerated population by 18%, while violent and property crimes fell by 20% and 36%, respectively, according to the press release.

Mosby said his office will no longer prosecute the following crimes: drug possession and drug paraphernalia, prostitution, trespassing, minor traffic offenses, violations of open containers and urinating and defecating in public.

Mosby said he plans to redirect law enforcement to more serious crimes that plague the city and have contributed to its violent reputation.

“When the courts open next month, I want my prosecutors to work with the police and focus on violent crimes, such as armed robberies, car theft cases and drug distribution organizations that are the weak point of Baltimore violence. , without using the valuable jury trial time on those who are addicted, “said Mosby.

Dante Barksdale, who worked for more than a decade to keep the streets of Baltimore safe from armed violence, is shot and killed
His decision was supported by Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison. But Republican state senator Robert Cassilly told CNN affiliate WBFF that while he supports the prosecution’s trial, Mosby’s decision is closer to making the law, rather than enforcing it.

“Prosecutors are sworn to support the constitution in the state of Maryland and the constitution says the general assembly sets the policy, not the prosecutors,” Cassilly told the station. “I respect the prosecutor’s entire discretion. This is not the prosecutor’s discretion, it is an exercise in legislating. This is what the legislator must do.”

Mosby said the state attorney’s office is also working with the Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore Crisis Response Inc. (BCRI), a crisis center that deals with mental health problems and substance abuse, to offer services instead of arresting individuals who commit these minor crimes.

“Instead of arresting and prosecuting, BCRI will connect individuals with services in areas such as mental health, housing and substance use,” according to the press release.

The Mosby office, along with Baltimore police and BCRI, will work to support sex workers in partnership with local organizations like SPARC, a women’s center in southwest Baltimore, Baltimore Safe Haven and the Baltimore branch of Sex Workers Outreach Project.

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