Baltimore’s death spiral

Baltimore’s mayor and state’s attorney have taken the first steps to bankrupting this city. In addition to affirming obvious orders to allow space to destroy, the actions of the police make it clear that space was also provided for rioters to take control (“Baltimore needs an independent investigation into the handling of the riots,” May 30).

The police literally did nothing as gangs put innocent citizens in harm’s way. Furthermore, the state’s attorney’s charges have essentially taken all discretion from the police, notwithstanding first-hand evidence of the behavior they deal with every day. Instead of striving to achieve some balance, they now have no choice but to police with extreme defensiveness which will have further economic consequences as crime soars and fewer people, conventions and other investment comes into the city.

The solution, as always, will be to raise taxes and ask the state and federal governments for more money which no matter how much is given will never be enough as long as the void in leadership at all levels continues. The fact that Baltimore has not only survived but thrived is due the foundation laid long ago by Mayor William Donald Schaefer. But like Detroit, there is a breaking point. Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake’s legacy will be that nobody died, at least not as a direct result of the riots. On the other hand, Baltimore City itself has already begun a slow death, and if history is any indication of future performance, nothing will done until it is too late, which is very much like waiting until the city is burning to call in reinforcements.

Everything should be on the table, including revoking Baltimore City’s charter and reapportioning it to the surrounding counties. After all, they are already picking up a big part of the tab, so why shouldn’t they have control as well?

Doude Glenn, Baltimore