The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a raid on Baltimore’s “Safe Streets” program, which is meant to reduce gun violence and act as a liaison between the city and local gangs.
The raid was reportedly due to allegations of gang affiliation within the program.
The program has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and accountability, with residents and local politicians questioning where the taxpayer funds have gone. (Trending: Kamala Harris Serves Up Another Dish of Her ‘Signature Word Salad’)
What should happen with Safe Streets after the FBI Raid?#Baltimore pic.twitter.com/E7xAAea5GF
— Jovani Patterson (@MrJPisGreat) October 29, 2023
The city’s webpage on the program states, “Since 2007, Safe Streets has been Baltimore’s flagship gun violence reduction program. Founded in 2000 by epidemiologist Dr. Gary Slutkin, Cure Violence is a public health approach that uses trusted messengers in the community to interrupt the transmission of violence. Violence interrupters spread anti-violence messages and encourage positive changes in individual behavior as well as community norms around violence.”
“Safe Streets,” the program description continues, “serves the residents within its 10 catchment zones across Baltimore City, totaling 2.6 square miles.”
5th District council man Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer said, “These (Safe Streets workers) are City employees, their salaries are paid for with taxpayer dollars.” (Trending: Democrat’s Disturbing Ties to Terrorism Exposed)
Schleifer, who was not surprised to learn that the FBI raided the officers, said, “It’s not surprising at all. We’ve been, myself and a couple of colleagues, have been very vocal on just standard accountability and transparency. And we’ve gotten none of that.”
“When you have this degree of lack of transparency and you have to go to such an extent to try to silence anybody who is asking questions, it begs the question of why? What are you hiding? What do you know that you don’t want other people to know?” he said.
“I think the key thing here is what are we actually funding? We like to understand what the program is, to understand what return there is on the money that’s going there, and we have yet to get those answers,” Schleifer added.
“Obviously serious allegations. It would be serious allegations if anybody had that happened to them. So, I look forward to finding out more about what happened and what the investigation holds and see what comes out of it,” 14th district councilwoman Odette Ramos said.
The raid has raised concerns about corruption and the effectiveness of such programs.
Residents and community leaders expressed shock and disappointment over the situation.
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