Clarke: Crime Wave an 'Assault' on North Baltimore

Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke called a wave or robberies, and a recent shooting that Baltimore police believe is connected, an assault on North Baltimore. 

"This is an out and out assault on our neighborhoods," Clarke said. 

There have been a spree of robberies, primarily in Clarke's district, where a group of juveniles have stolen cars and used them to attack and rob people. The crimes escalated early Wednesday morning when a man was shot twice in the upper torso in the 4000 block of Roland Avenue. 

Now Clarke said she wants police to step up and provide the same level of attention other districts get during times of crisis. She said that man power is diverted from the Northern District when problems increase in other areas of the city, and that it's time more police are sent to North Baltimore to crack down on the current crime wave. 

"This is totally unacceptable, I know how hard [Maj. Kimberly Burrus] is working. I want her to get the help she needs, that we need, and deserve," Clarke said. 

Clarke said she is working on organizing a meeting with the presidents of neighborhood associations where the crimes are occurring, and then hopes to put together a larger public meeting about the crimes. 

"We've held the line all these years and we intend to get it back,” Clarke said. 

Calls to the Baltimore police's public affairs section for comment were not answered.