TGR: New "Commish" Hits the Streets - Fresh Out of Oakland
(BALTIMORE - August 29, 2012) I hadn’t loaded a clip of the new “Commish” ten minutes before I started getting phone calls. BMORENEWS.com viewers already him on their radar: new Baltimore City Police Department Commissioner-designee Dr. Anthony Batts. Dr. Batts – from outer appearance – is a sharp, articulate law enforcement professional. His presence is noticeable – as well as the fact that he has a lot of introductions before him.
BMORENEWS caught up with the new “Commish” in West Baltimore at Calverton Elementary/Middle School as he made one of the many introductions to come. This time, Baltimore City Councilman Pete Welch made acquaintance with him. The mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, would arrive next.
One BMORENEWS viewer who called immediately raised the question of what kind of commissioner he will be. The caller said that if he comes from a city like Oakland, demographically speaking, then he must be into making a lot of arrests. The caller said that he is worried about the future of policing in Baltimore.
My take: first, congrats to the mayor on her first police chief. This is one of the most critical decisions she will make as mayor and the ramifications - for better or worse - are soul-wrenching. We are talking about the lives of our citizens. This is a serious position to be in. Secondly, the man just got here. And, by all indications, he is going to be here. Let’s give him a chance. Even more, let’s be pro-active and invite him out to our individual communities. Call his office. He might very well welcome it.
As for what kind of commissioner he will be? Only time will tell. His name isn't Jesus Christ, so I know he isn't perfect. I pray for him - as for all our leaders. Leadership is the toughest job out here. Few can do the job effectively - especially given all of the cameras, distractions, and politics. And you are never going to please everybody - although everybody will criticize you for the negatives that will happen.
One small observation: his demeanor seems to be beyond the traditional Baltimore perception of a top cop; besides being a crime fighter, he may have the aura, too, of a mix between a college professor and a CEO. Again, time will tell.
God bless the new police commissioner. May his tenure be the most successful. Why? Because this is our city, and therefore, his success ultimately equals ours.
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NEWS UPDATE: Greater Baltimore Community Meetings :: June 4th (Woodlawn) and June 13th (Sandtown):
* Tuesday, June 4, 2013
7 to 9 pm
Woodlawn Community Center
2120 Gwynn Oak Avenue
Gwynn Oak, MD 21207
* Thursday, June 13, 2013
7 to 9 pm
Sharon Baptist Church
1373 North Stricker Street
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But most of all, to the Bowie State University class of 2013, congratulations. (Applause.) Oh, congratulations. You don't know how proud we all are of you. Just look at you. We're so proud of how hard you worked, all those long hours in the classroom, in the library. Oh, yeah. Amen. (Laughter.) All those jobs you worked to help pay your tuition. Many of you are the first in your families to get a college degree. (Applause.) Some of you are balancing school with raising families of your own. (Applause.) So I know this journey hasn't been easy. I know you've had plenty of moments of doubt and frustration and just plain exhaustion. Read in Full >>
What do you think?
1 comment(s) on this page. Add your own comment below.
I say give him a chance. I would like to see him visit all communities. It would be nice if he held a community forum, that way he could hear directly from the community. Peace and Blessings.
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Please be civil.