Vacancy rates continue to impact BPD, union warns agency is 'at a breaking point'
BALTIMORE (WBFF) — With just over two months until voters in Baltimore City head to the polls to make their pick for a Democratic mayoral candidate, the issues of property crime and police staffing remain a sticking point.
In a memo obtained by FOX45 News, the Baltimore Police union leader urged members to think long and hard about their futures as the union appears to embark in contract negotiations. With staffing and pay problems, FOP President Mike Mancuso wrote to members: “Talk is cheap and the BPD is at a breaking point.”
“Will you continue to run yourselves into the ground for a mayor that clearly does not respect you,” Mancuso questioned in the letter.
The department remains understaffed, but the numbers have been debated. According to Mancuso, BPD is short 700 officers and “losing more by the week.” The agency has also dropped below 2,000 sworn officers with about 575 full-duty officers, Mancuso writes in the letter.
According to a BPD spokesperson, the department is budgeted for 2,592 sworn officers and currently has 2,008 – that’s a vacancy of 584 sworn members.
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FOX45 News compiled a list of vacancy rates among law enforcement departments around Maryland:
- Anne Arundel County Police: 5.7% vacancy
- Baltimore Police Department: 22.5% vacancy
- Baltimore County Police Department: 13.2% vacancy
- Carroll County Sheriff’s Office: 3.6% vacancy
- Harford County Sheriff’s Office: 0.3% vacancy
- Howard County Police Department: 2.4% vacancy
Prince George’s Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, and Frederick County Sheriff’s Office have not yet responded to questions from FOX45 News.
“Every city in the country is struggling with recruiting police officers, we are no different,” Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott said Monday.
But in Baltimore, it’s not just an understaffed police department raising concerns among some voters. Property crimes, car thefts and carjackings remain a problem.
Just last week in Pigtown, a call heard over the police scanner described a victim of an armed carjacking pulled out their own weapon and fired to thwart the thieves.
“Carjacking last night, that was scary,” said a neighbor who heard the commotion.
“I don’t want to be a victim, so we’ve discussed doing a conceal and license to carry and definitely taking the proper steps to carry a gun,” said another neighbor in the community.
The latest data from Baltimore Police provide a picture of the crimes in the city, as of March 2. While homicides and non-fatal shootings are down compared to the same time period in 2023, property crimes continue to rise. Between Feb. 25 and March 2, 54 robberies were reported to BPD, 48 burglaries, and 130 cars stolen – all according to data provided by the department. Since Jan. 1, there have been 1,377 cars stolen in the city.
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“The type of environment Baltimore city voters can expect to see is having the largest homicide reduction rate the city has ever seen, seeing public safety going in the right direction,” Mayor Scott said in response to a question from FOX45 News. “But what we are going to focus on is continuing having, as we are talking right now, a 17% reduction in violent crime on top of the historic reduction last year.”
When asked if that meant property crimes aren’t a priority for his administration, Mayor Scot said it was and claimed officers are making arrests, but the suspects continue to be released. Mayor Scott then placed blame at the feet of lawmakers in Annapolis, suggesting laws need to change to ensure accountability.
The comments came during an endorsement event where firefighters in Baltimore City backed Mayor Scott for re-election. A recent poll from Shelia Dixon – former mayor and current mayoral candidate – showed her ahead of Mayor Scott. The poll, which was conducted by the Dixon campaign, showed her with a 3% lead over Mayor Scott, though the margin of error was +/- 5%.
Previous polling – done in October 2023 – showed Dixon leading Scott. The poll, conducted by Lake Research Partners in Washington, D.C., showed Dixon with 39% and Mayor Scott had 31%.
Other candidates vying to win the Democratic primary are former federal prosecutor Thiru Vignarajah and businessman Bob Wallace. Vignarajah has 10% support in the poll, and Wallace stands at 6%. The poll shows 8% undecided.
Maryland’s primary election is scheduled for May 14.
Follow Political Reporter Mikenzie Frost on X and Facebook. Send tips to mbfrost@sbgtv.com.
