By Elise Devlin
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Mayor Brandon M. Scott stressed his commitment to building a safer, equitable and accountable Baltimore in his first State of the City Address Thursday night that highlighted his work in the first 100 days in office.
“Bringing real change to Baltimore will be a difficult journey,” but one that “prioritizes young people and neighborhoods that have been historically left behind,” Scott said in his 28-minute address in the auditorium of the Waxter Center for Senior Services.
Scott stressed his local roots, noting “Baltimore is the only place I have ever called home. Serving you is more than just a job, it is a calling.” And, he emphasized the quality of his administration team that includes Christopher J. Shorter, Baltimore’s first City Administrator, Equity Officer Dana P. Moore, and Jason Mitchell, who Scott introduced earlier Thursday as the director of the Department of Public Works.
Mitchell currently serves as the assistant City Administrator for the City of Oakland but will join the Scott administration in May.
“We are governing from the ground up, by ensuring that everyday basic services are being met efficiently and effectively,” he said. “And we are achieving this first-rate coordination amid a global pandemic.”
Stressing that the team is capable of transforming Baltimore, Scott said, “The team is mixed with great homegrown talent and fresh national perspectives. These individuals not only believe in my vision for a better Baltimore, they believe in you. … And they care about solving the problems that keep Baltimore families up at night.”
The mayor has now been in office for 100 days, and there are 58 actions he has planned, he said. There are 20 items that are complete, while 34 are in progress.
Scott said one completed goal is the creation of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. Another accomplishment has been the administration’s effort to hold PoliceStat meetings every-other-week to build stronger accountability within the Baltimore Police Department and improve service delivery, and the development of strategies to slow the flow of illegal guns into Baltimore City.
New initiatives announced by Scott include:
- Launching Open Checkbook to explore city expenditures
- Directing the Finance Department to ensure no one loses his or her home to tax sale during this pandemic
- Establishing a local language access mandate to provide access to city services in languages other than English
- Issuing an executive order to suspend pre-employment drug screenings for public employees in non-safety sensitive positions
- Reopening recreation centers on April 5
- Opening the world-class Cahill Fitness and Wellness Center in West Baltimore
- Implementing a cutting-edge 911 diversion pilot program to send the most appropriate resources when residents call for assistance
Scott also said he plans to introduce City Council legislation to reduce the number of false alarm calls the police department. He explained police need to focus on calls demanding the most urgent responses. Also focusing on public safety, Scott said he has asked Gov. Larry Hogan for permission to restart the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, which has been defunct. He said he wants to operate the council out of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.
As of Thursday, Scott said that 823 Baltimore residents have died of COVID-19. But through all this, the city has delivered 8 million meals, 18 million pounds of boxed groceries and produce, $6 million in direct food assistance, and $740,000 in community food grants. He added that the city, through its first ever cash assistance program, is currently distributing $1,500 prepaid debit cards.
“Throughout the day, I often ask myself, ‘Have I done everything I can to uplift Baltimore? Have I made Baltimore safer? Have my colleagues and I put in the necessary work to bring new opportunities to this city?’ As I stand before you tonight, 100 days into my administration, I can honestly say that the answer is ‘Yes’!”
“The state of our city is STRONG. And I can assure you that the future of Baltimore is bright,” he concluded.”