Faith leaders, City officials meet over concerns in South Baltimore in wake of mass shooting

BALTIMORE - A group of faith leaders met with Baltimore City Council members to discuss concerns for South Baltimore neighborhoods.

The meetings were set up to demand accountability and to learn more about how city government works.     

Early on July 2, two people were killed and 28 more were injured in a mass shooting during a Brooklyn Day block party.

The age range of those shot was between the ages of 13 and 32 years old.

The town hall at Douglas Memorial Community Church was organized by ACT Now Baltimore. 

"To make sure that there is some continuity, some flow of information between the pew and those who represent the folks in the pew," said Pastor Todd Yeary, senior pastor of Douglas Memorial Community Church.

The meeting was scheduled before the mass shooting in Brooklyn Homes. However, that violent weekend, among other topics, were on the agenda. 

ACT Now Baltimore is a group made up of faith-based organizations from each district across the city. 

They work to make sure city issues are addressed and elected leaders are held accountable. 

"Accountability, credibility and transparency," said ACT Now President Gregory Dennis.

The ACT Now also spoke with Baltimore City leaders about education, the new police district map, public safety and employment issues facing South Baltimore residents and how the city budget affects those areas. 

Councilmembers from Districts 9, 10 and 11 in South Baltimore attended.

"We're talking about really changing the narrative of what South Baltimore has been for so long but also where South Baltimore is going in the future," Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter said.

ACT Now Baltimore plans to hold more town halls focusing on other areas of the city.

Dennis said these meetings will help the faith community play a bigger role in city government.

"Sometimes we think council people can do things that are not within their power and so we need to know those things," Dennis said. "We need to know what your goals are, what you're working towards, and if you have challenges you need to let the citizens know that so we can also put pressure in the right places to get things done."

The date for the next town hall has not been announced yet, but city leaders will be holding a legislative oversight hearing on Thursday to discuss the Brooklyn Homes mass shooting in greater detail.

The public is invited to attend.