Mayor, police commissioner urge calm when verdict is reached
City and state officials are hoping to avoid a repeat of April’s unrest, when Baltimore erupted in rioting, looting and arson, leading Rawlings-Blake to impose a curfew and Gov. Larry Hogan to send in the Maryland National Guard.
A spokesman for Hogan said the state’s homeland security director has been in regular contact with the federal Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office to discuss and prepare for the potential of further unrest.
Spokesman Doug Mayer said the governor’s office also speaks daily with the Maryland State Police and the National Guard — and those agencies speak daily with the Baltimore Police Department.
When Hogan visited Baltimore last week, he said the city and state were prepared.
“Everyone’s concerned about the potential, but look: We have some great community leaders here who are trying to keep the peace and keep things from getting out of control,” he said.
Hogan said coordination and communication on public safety have improved since April.
“The bottom line is we’re hoping for the best but we’re prepared for whatever might happen,” he said.
Federal officials said their role in responding to a riot is limited, but they investigate and prosecute any federal crimes.
“We provide enforcement after the fact,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Hopefully, that provides something of a deterrent.”
A Maryland National Guard spokesman said staff are monitoring conditions.
“The trials are definitely something that we’re keeping a very close eye on,” said Col. Charles S. Kohler. “We feel there could be the potential for people not to be satisfied with the verdict.”
Kohler said Guard officials have been meeting with the Maryland State Police and Baltimore police more regularly since the unrest. He said officials are considering how Guardsmen could best be used in any future disturbance.
“The success that we had at the end of April is no reason for us to be relaxed in what we’re doing,” he said. “There’s always ways you can look for improvement.”
Rawlings-Blake was flanked Wednesday by police commanders, elected officials and community activists.
“All of us today agree the unrest of last spring is unacceptable,” she said. “Baltimore has a chance to show the country how we can be heard peacefully, respectfully and effectively.”
“It’s time to turn the page,” agreed anti-violence advocate Carmichael “Stokey” Cannady. “I know justice will prevail in the case at hand.”
Police Commissioner Kevin Davis declined to discuss how his officers are preparing for possible demonstrations or protests.
“We are going to handle a protest like a protest, and we view our role as a police department as one that keeps the peace during protests,” Davis said. “That’s why we’re here: To keep the peace.”
Asked if out-of-town protesters are expected, Davis said he did not know. He said he hopes Baltimore residents won’t let “outsiders” define the reaction to a verdict.
“What I expect is for Baltimore to talk about Baltimore,” Davis said. “I expect the leaders in this city to lead this city, and I expect the community leaders, the faith leaders in the city to speak for our people. I think that’s the healthiest thing possible.”
Davis spoke of changes he’s made in the department since taking over in July, including additional training and equipment for officers and efforts to improve community relations.
Leave for city police officers has not been canceled, a spokesman said, as it was in April and during some of the pretrial hearings this fall.
There have been occasional demonstrations in recent months as the cases of the six officers moved through the court system. Since Porter’s trial began Nov. 30, demonstrations have been peaceful.