Baltimore Council to Vote on New Neighborhood Safety Department
The measure aims to create a dedicated unit for crisis response and increase legislative oversight of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.
By Emmanuel Faure ·
Baltimore City Council members will cast their final votes on a bill to establish a new Department of Neighborhood Safety on Monday.
The legislation has been under discussion for several years as council leaders sought a more specialized approach to nonviolent emergency calls. Supporters argue the current system frequently relies on police for mental health crises, a dynamic they believe the new structure would correct.
Council President Zeke Cohen has championed the bill for its potential to create a better response infrastructure. He stated that the city has discussed the need for a top-tier crisis response system for decades. Cohen noted that while other cities have implemented similar systems, the Baltimore proposal adapts those ideas to local needs.
"It's one thing to just have a number to call, but actually having the infrastructure in place to address crisis at that moment is something that other cities are doing," Cohen said.
The bill would also codify the functions of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, or MONSE, into law. By establishing MONSE as a stand-alone department outside the mayoralty, the legislation grants the City Council greater authority for oversight and accountability.
This shift follows recent scrutiny of MONSE after Chief of Victim Services Mark Mason allegedly advocated for the early release of Tyree Reynolds. Police report that Reynolds was involved in an incident at a youth football game on Oct. 3.
Not all council members support the change. Councilman Mark Conway voted against the bill during its second reading, citing high costs and unresolved internal issues within MONSE.
"We haven't asked a lot of questions. We are still trying to address a lot of the problems that have come up," Conway said. He added that administration officials have spoken about troubles within the office, but those issues have not been fully addressed in the legislative process.
The final vote is scheduled for the City Council meeting beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday.
