City Leaders Want To Improve Residents-Police Relationship
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's been more than a month since the shooting death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown at the hands of a police officer in Ferguson. The shooting sparked outrage and nationwide protests. Now city leaders in Baltimore, including the mayor, are coming together to try and create a better relationship between citizens and the police.
Rochelle Ritchie has more from a town hall meeting held in hopes of making a change.
The body of Michael Brown lay lifeless in the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, after he was shot and killed by Officer Darren Wilson, whose actions were called murder by some.
"He had his hands up and the cop just continues to walk up to him and shoot him until he goes down," said one witness.
And others called it self-defense.
"We are on his side. There is a side out there that is rooting for him and the rule of law," said a resident.
The tragic incident in Ferguson caught the eyes of leaders in several municipalities, including Baltimore.
"Elections are very important," said Congressman Elijah Cummings.
Cummings spoke at the Empowerment Temple calling for President Barack Obama to take action to protect citizens from the law.
"Another thing we ask for is he appoint a czar to oversee all of these police departments," Cummings said.
Marilyn Mosby, who is in line to take over the state's attorney's office, spoke passionately about keeping the movement for justice alive and not forgetting.
"In the African-American community, we have a sense of complacency, a sense of acceptance and inaction. We get upset for the time being but quickly we forget," Mosby said.
The mayor calls the conversation necessary.
"I believe we all want safer communities and I believe the only way we are going to do it is in relationship and partnership," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
The mayor says she didn't need Ferguson to remind her of the problem of police brutality. She has heard it from citizens in her own city and is discussing ways to stop it.
The officer who shot Michael Brown has not been charged.
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