American Vet

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Dozens of Fells Point businesses say they are prepared to hold their city taxes, minor privilege fees and permit fees hostage until Baltimore increases police enforcement and municipal service in the area, according to a letter signed by 37 neighborhood restaurants and storefronts.

The announcement comes after three men were shot Saturday night on Thames Street and Aliceanna Street.

“What is happening in our front yard — the chaos and lawlessness that escalated this weekend into another night of tragic, unspeakable gun violence — has been going on for far too long,” said the letter addressed to Mayor Brandon Scott, Councilman Zeke Cohen, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby and BPD Commissioner Michael Harrison.

The businesses plan to place the funds withheld into an escrow account until the city meets four demands:

Pick up the trash
Enforce traffic and parking laws through tickets and towing
Stop illegal open-air alcohol and drug sales
Empower police to responsibly do their job
The letter said that the minor crime that police “ignore” is what lead to incidents like the weekend shooting.

“When it comes to prostitution, public urination and defecation, and the illegal sale and consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs on the streets, we know these crimes are not as serious as the carjackings, shootings, and homicides that have become routine,” read the letter. “But, as this past weekend proved, a culture of lawlessness rarely remains confined to petty offenses and invariably leads to the kinds of violence and tragedy we witnessed late Saturday night.”

The businesses closed the letter by saying that the neighborhood is “one of the crown jewels of Baltimore,” and that the small problems that are taking root downtown could lead to the collapse of the neighborhood.