Baltimore's Mayoral Candidates Unveiling Plans To Tackle Crime

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- With about four months to go until the primary elections, Baltimore's mayoral candidates are beginning to unveil their own ideas on how to tackle crime and the record murder rate.

Derek Valcourt spoke with some of the candidates about their crime plans.

With a daunting 344 murders in Baltimore last year, tackling crime is at the top of every mayoral candidates' priority list.

Former mayor Sheila Dixon says she will target violent repeat offenders and put new technology in the hands of every officer to help fight crime.

"I'll be able to hit the ground and run. I know that this plan--because of my knowledge and experience with all the agencies--that I can pull together the team to hit the ground running and see results--not in a year, two years, three years--but immediate results," Dixon said.

City Councilman Nick Mosby plans to unveil his crime plan Tuesday, including targeting violent repeat offenders and rebuilding trust in police.

"In the first 100 days of my administration, we are going to put body cameras on all officers. The officers want it for their protection. The citizens want it for transparency," said Councilman Mosby.

Former deputy state's attorney Elizabeth Embry says she will be releasing a detailed crime plan in the coming days.

"I've spent my career in public service, primarily focused on driving down violence and reforming the criminal justice system, and there are strategies that have worked and strategies that have worked in other cities, and they can work here," Embry said.

State Senator Catherine Pugh is already developing legislation on tackling crime and guns in the city and says she's constantly adding to her crime plan.

"It's not just about the plan, it's about the input of those in the city who have ideas as well. I mean, this can't just be a candidate, for example, just thinking about what they should do. It's got to be everybody included in on this discussion," Sen. Pugh said.

There are a total of 13 candidates running for mayor on the Democratic ticket in April.