Baltimore City Police Announce Several Arrests In Recent Murder Cases
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The city's top cop announces he's increasing manpower to fight this summer's spike in crime. Police have just made arrests in several recent murder cases.
Meghan McCorkell explains how the community has helped.
Detectives say community members are starting to come forward to put an end to this violent surge.
A dispute over $3 is what investigators say sparked the murder of Clerow Myers, who was stabbed to death on a Northwest Baltimore street corner.
Now police have arrested Tavon Harris, along with two other murder suspects in two other recent killings.
"Those cases are being closed because the community is stepping forward," said Interim Commissioner Kevin Davis, Baltimore Police Department.
The city has seen a staggering 183 murders this year--39 of them this month alone.
"It is the worst summer I have ever seen in my life," said Apostle Clarence Hooper.
Hooper is part of Baltimore's trauma response team--clergy members that go to crime scenes to comfort victims and families.
He says police need to be more present.
"We need to go back to officer friendly, when we had the police department where the police used to walk upon the beats and knock on the doors and sit down and talk with the people," said Hooper.
The city has brought in extra manpower to deal with the crisis.
Ten additional ATF agents are now working with Baltimore City police and the commissioner will meet with the FBI next week.
"But the police can't solve this problem by themselves," said Rev. Dr. Andre H. Humphrey, Baltimore Trauma Response.
Rev. Dr. Humphrey says neighbors must start speaking up.
"As long as people run and hide and say this is not my problem, this is the police's problem, it will never get solved," he said.
Police say a joint effort is essential.
"We can't get through this summer without the community's assistance," said Comm. Davis.
A summer that's already seen too much bloodshed.
Homicides are up more than 50 percent over this time last year.
Just over 36 percent of homicide cases have been solved in the city this year. That's down from 60 percent just this April.
