It was a sight that has become common since Thomas C. Frazier became Baltimore's police commissioner nearly a year ago: 250 officers raided one of Baltimore's most violent and drug-infested areas, confiscating guns, drugs, vehicles and cash. Armed with 120 warrants, they arrested known troublemakers, sending many to jail to wait for a hearing.
By the time the seventh massive raid was over early Sunday morning, the Fulton Avenue-Monroe Street drug corridor looked deserted. Disbelieving, ordinary people were able to step out of their houses and stroll without being hassled by drug dealers or addicts.
"I think we've sent the message that it's not hopeless," Mr. Frazier said.
Police have to do more than periodic sweeps to hold the city's troubled corners. But the series of raids Mr. Frazier has overseen is a good start.
Let's not kid ourselves: With an estimated 50,000 addicts, drugs are not going to be removed from Baltimore City any time soon. Mr. Frazier acknowledges as much. For that reason, the recent raids have concentrated as much on violence as on drugs. They are seen as interlocked causes for neighborhood instability.
The first raid occurred in March in Baltimore Midway, along the Greenmount Avenue corridor. After the police operation concluded, bulldozers moved in. A total of 25 alley houses were demolished to deprive traffickers and addicts of hiding places and shooting galleries. Tons of trash were hauled away in a cooperative effort between city agencies, particularly housing and public works.
Seven months later, Baltimore Midway still looks quite different from what it was before the raid. There may be sporadic drug activity, but it is not as obvious as before. After a drastic initial drop, the area's crime rate is still 42 percent lower than before the raid, police say.
The police department credits the raids for this year's substantially lower homicide rate; some of the most violent criminals have been removed from these troubled neighborhoods. With new surveillance equipment, such as a dozen video cameras distributed to various police districts, officers hope to keep the heat on.
The series of raids initiated by Mr. Frazier is essentially a first step in the police department's efforts to return a sense of law and order to the city. The task is bound to be difficult and uneven. Nevertheless, so far this approach looks promising.