Mr. Dawntreader Talks To One of Baltimore's Top Crime Fighters

"After five years of a declining crime rate, we are starting to see an increase in homicides in Baltimore this year", said Randy as he settled onto the couch next to me this past Sunday.

Randy is a veteran in the Baltimore police department.  He has achieved a high rank.  He has seniority and I would guess close to thirty years experience in the police department of one of America's most violent cities.

In the words of Baltimore's own mayor (in 2003), "Three years ago, Baltimore by most measures had become America's most violent city. For the sixth year in a row,  America's most addicted city."

Recent headlines out of Baltimore confirm Randy's comment.   After years of declining homicide rates, violent crimes are on the rise again.  Violent crimes are up 5 %.