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Baltimore arrests tumble after Freddie Gray death, violent crime spikes Baltimore arrests tumble after Freddie Gray death, violent crime spikes
(about 20 hours later)
In the weeks since Freddie Gray died while in the custody of Baltimore police, the city’s officers have cut back on making arrests and violent crime has spiked.In the weeks since Freddie Gray died while in the custody of Baltimore police, the city’s officers have cut back on making arrests and violent crime has spiked.
The Wall Street Journal reported that in the three weeks after Mr Gray’s death on 19 April, Baltimore police made 1,453 arrests, a decrease of more than 40 per cent from the same time in 2014 and 2013.The Wall Street Journal reported that in the three weeks after Mr Gray’s death on 19 April, Baltimore police made 1,453 arrests, a decrease of more than 40 per cent from the same time in 2014 and 2013.
Arrests were way down despite that period including two days when the protests devolved into riots and looting, in which more than 200 people were arrested.Arrests were way down despite that period including two days when the protests devolved into riots and looting, in which more than 200 people were arrested.
Police and firefighters respond in front of a building that caught fire as protests of the death of Freddie Gray continue in Baltimore
A Baltimore firefighter cuts his way into a burning convenience store with a saw to attack a fire set by rioters at East Biddle Street and Montford Avenue in Baltimore
A Baltimore firefighter climbs onto a rooftop to attack a fire set by rioters in a convenience store and residence at East Biddle Street and Montford Avenue
Baltimore firefighters attack a fire in a convenience store and residence during clashes after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore
Gloria Darden, mother of Freddie Gray, covers her face during a news conference after a day of unrest following the funeral of Gray
The family of Freddie Gray gather with clergy and pray during a news conference in Baltimore
Rioters burned police vehicles and pelted officers with stones
AP
A man has pepper spray cleaned from his eyes
Getty Images
Baltimore police officers form a line in front of protesters
Getty Images
Looters ransacked shops and torched police cars amid the unrest
AP
A CVS chemist outlet burns in Baltimore after it was set alight by rioters
AP
The Shaheed family assess the damage to their store in downtown Baltimore
David Usborne
The riots broke out just a few streets from the church where the funeral was held
AP
A protester is detained in Baltimore following the funeral of Freddie Gray earlier in the day
AP
Police in front of a building that caught fire after being looted
EPA
A youth washes out pepper spray from his eyes near a building that caught fire after being looted
EPA
People pose for photographs on the hood of a Baltimore Police car destroyed by demonstrators
GETTY
The riots broke out just a few streets from the church where the funeral was held for Freddie Gray
GETTY
Demonstrators threw rocks and other objects at police following the funeral of Freddie Gray
AP
Arrests have been made, with many of those involved appearing to be school children and students
AP
Protests over Freddie Gray's death turned violent
Reuters
The circumstances surrounding Freddie Gray's death in custody still remain unclear
AP
Alongside the drop in arrests, violent crime has surged in Baltimore, according to police data. There were 33 homicides reported in Baltimore between 19 April and 16 May, up from 15 during the same period in 2014, a 120 per cent increase. Non-fatal shootings are up 144 per cent during the last month, jumping to 66 this year from 27 last year.Alongside the drop in arrests, violent crime has surged in Baltimore, according to police data. There were 33 homicides reported in Baltimore between 19 April and 16 May, up from 15 during the same period in 2014, a 120 per cent increase. Non-fatal shootings are up 144 per cent during the last month, jumping to 66 this year from 27 last year.
The surge in violent crime is not necessarily linked to the drop in arrests, as arrests have been trending down in Baltimore since the start of 2015. Arrests are down 22 per cent in the first quarter, compared to the same period in 2014, the Journal reported.The surge in violent crime is not necessarily linked to the drop in arrests, as arrests have been trending down in Baltimore since the start of 2015. Arrests are down 22 per cent in the first quarter, compared to the same period in 2014, the Journal reported.
Baltimore police did not return calls or emails seeking comment for this story. But the Baltimore police commissioner told the Journal that police officers have been more hesitant to make arrests since Mr Gray’s death.Baltimore police did not return calls or emails seeking comment for this story. But the Baltimore police commissioner told the Journal that police officers have been more hesitant to make arrests since Mr Gray’s death.
“It’s a time of uncertainty for us as a police organization, as police officers as a whole,” said Commissioner Anthony Batts.“It’s a time of uncertainty for us as a police organization, as police officers as a whole,” said Commissioner Anthony Batts.
The uncertainty stems from the circumstances surrounding Mr Gray’s death. He was arrested on 12 April and shackled before being thrown in the back of a police van. He sustained a spinal injury while in the van and died at the hospital a week later. All six officers involved in his arrest have been charged, including one officer charged with second-degree murder.The uncertainty stems from the circumstances surrounding Mr Gray’s death. He was arrested on 12 April and shackled before being thrown in the back of a police van. He sustained a spinal injury while in the van and died at the hospital a week later. All six officers involved in his arrest have been charged, including one officer charged with second-degree murder.
  
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