By Devon Douglas
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
More than five dozen concerned residents joined a work session of the Baltimore County Council Tuesday to offer passionate support or opposition to bills that would protect tenants from unfair rent increases and regular citizens from heavy-handed police officers.
Sixth District Councilwoman Cathy Bevins led the session, which included 67 speakers who registered to testify. While the introduced bills covered topics that ranged from finances, taxation, parking, community arts and farming, the bulk of the small business owners, landlords and residents who testified during the virtual meeting focused on police reform and tenant protections.
Second District Councilman Israel “Izzy” Patoka who introduced the Tenant Protections During Emergencies Act, referred to the Baltimore County Government as “a government with a big heart.”
“If this wasn’t related to COVID-19 then I would refer people to organizations for help,” Patoka said, stressing the need for government support of families who have lost jobs and homes because of the pandemic. “However, this is a rental increase issue during COVID-19.”
Under Patoka’s bill, tenants would be protected from landlords who try to increase rent during state of emergencies, such as economic or health crises. Landlords would be prohibited from increasing rent during or 180 days after a state of emergency. Landlords also would be prohibited from sending reports to credit bureaus. Evictions would not be allowed and rent could only be raised once a year to the CPI of 2.07 percent.
Many of those testifying encouraged approval of the tenant bill with some pointing to the possibility of an increase in the spread of the coronavirus when evicted families are tossed into the street. Representatives from the social justice group 1199SEIU offered strong support, stressing that it protects renters from debt and benefits the entire public.
Renters of Baltimore County who have lost their jobs and are struggling testified in favor of the bill too. Some complained that their work hours have been cut, decreasing their ability to provide for their children all day while trying to pay the rent. Others talked about not receiving benefits on the job and are barely getting by.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, renters make up 33 percent of Baltimore County. Some officials testified that many people’s credit will be damaged by their inability to pay rent. This act gives families one less thing to worry about as many residents use what little money they have on groceries, some said.
Seventh District Councilman Todd Crandall said the act fails to look out for the landlords of Baltimore County. He said the bill was one sided.
“Some landlords who own small units rely on the rent money to pay their mortgages,” Crandall said.
Aaron Greenfield of the Maryland Multi-Housing Association said his group no longer supports the bill, which he said may be unconstitutional and subject to lawsuits against Baltimore County.
For nearly three hours, council members listened to testimony on legislation to ban chokeholds and implement other reforms at the Baltimore County Police Department. The bill, called the Strengthening Modernization, Accountability, Reform, and Transparency (SMART) Policing Act, was introduced by Fourth District Councilman Julian Jones.
Police reforms encouraged under the legislation include requiring the police department to limit use of force, provide whistleblower protection and compel officers to intervene if they witness excessive use of force. The bill bans the use of chokeholds unless used when defending themselves, and it requires further education yearly for police on how to deal with people and when to use force. It also said that police who have been fired from another department cannot be hired by a different department.
Jones said the act is to ensure that police do better and that the communities do better. Police sometimes abuse their power, he said, explaining that the recent death of George Floyd was an inspiration for the act.
County residents testified about their own experiences with racial bias and police brutality. Most encouraged the council to pass the bill to help improve their communities.
The aunt of Chris S. Brown attended the meeting to show support. Brown was a teenager police killed in 2016 after he was chased down and put in a chokehold. His aunt demanded justice and said the legislation is long overdue.
“Reform is what is needed,” said Jones, explaining that Baltimore County has the highest death rate by police in the state of Maryland. “Too many times we’re too supportive.”
However, Crandall said that this act is “redundant” as there are already guidelines that police should follow regarding abuse.
Del. Benjamin Brooks, a Democratic representative for the legislative district in Baltimore County, said that the relationship between the communities and police could be stronger and this bill will help.