War Of Words: Baltimore Mayor, Maryland Governor Disagree On How To Deter City Violence
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A war of words was brewing between Governor Larry Hogan and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott Tuesday over how to deal with the city's crime and violence. It comes on the heels of a disturbing attack on two Korean women in their West Baltimore store.
Hogan said he's outraged over the brutal attack and has a loose connection with the two victims.
"It's just another example of this violent outburst and attacks on Asians all across the country," said Hogan. "My youngest daughter Julie, who lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan… a guy who I know well, her good friend she went to school with who's from the Baltimore area, his best buddy was the mom and the aunt."
The governor says its hard to watch the security video that captured the alleged suspect, 50-year-old Daryl Doyles, viciously beating the women with a cement block as they tried to fight back.
Hogan vowed to get to the bottom of this case, saying state police are working with the city to investigate the incident.
"It seems to be the last thing that they're concerned about and they need to come up with a real plan," said Hogan. "I've been very disappointed in the record so far."
The recent attack comes on the heels of another violent weekend in Baltimore.
"Since Friday, April 30, Baltimore has seen a spike in violence, much sharper spike than previous weekends," said Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison
"We're going to continue to push, were going to continue to hold people accountable," said Mayor Scott
Scott said he recently met with the police commissioner to go over the city's crime prevention plan.
"While I'm pushing our police department to do better, while I'm pushing all of our agencies to do better…but we also have to be better as citizens," he said.
But the governor pointed out the uptick in violence all comes down to three root causes.
"Number one, we'd have to get tougher laws. Number two, we can't defund the police, which is the mayor's plan. We got to invest more in our police… and number three, we have to have a prosecutor that's willing to prosecute crimes," said Hogan.
Scott fired back in a tweet Tuesday, telling the governor "rather than relying solely on status quo "solutions" and MAGA talking points, how about actually meeting with me to discuss violent crime, gun trafficking, or restarting the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council — as I've asked before?"
"I'm ready when you are," Scott tweeted.
Commissioner Harrison said detectives are working diligently to solve recent crimes and bring those who are responsible to justice.
As of Tuesday morning, May 4, there have been 107 homicides reported in the city compared to the 92 reported homicides this time last year.
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