Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown stumped in Baltimore on Monday, receiving an endorsement from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake for his gubernatorial campaign, and was asked about how he would stem the crime in the city. He had an answer, but he couldn't tell anyone because it might tip the "bad guys."
UPDATE, 3:36 PM: Upon further consideration, the Brown campaign said the technologies can be discussed. See below.
Here's a transcript from state house reporter Erin Cox, after reporters asked him to elaborate on his response that part of the solution lies in "technologies":
Q: What technology would have helped prevent or stem the recent wave of violence here in Baltimore?
"Communications is important, right? Communications certainly from law enforcement, but communications is very important as well for those who are breaking laws and committing crimes. And the technologies that we can use to interrupt communications and organizations, that's an example of technologies that certainly we ought to be looking at more opportunities to use those. The technology that we have available to us."
Q: Do you mean like jamming the cell phones of drug dealers? Or what are you ...
A: "Technologies. Technologies. The use of technologies. And some of them, the truth of the matter is, we're not sharing that information publicly because you know what? One of the things that we notice is that the bad guys often get a jump, and an unfair disadvantage as they wreak havoc on citizens. So we're not going to necessarily reveal what technologies we have. But better use of technologies."
In an unrelated note, a man was shot hours later about 10 blocks away from where the press event was held. Police said a man was giving an elderly woman directions in the 300 block of McMechen St. when he heard two gunshots and felt the burn of a bullet. He ran for a nearby firehouse for assistance.
Today, the campaign sent this statement expounding on what technologies can be used to fight crime:
"Maryland law enforcement is working together at every level to fight crime by utilizing new technologies and tactics. Maryland has implemented several successful programs to reduce crime in our communities such as launching the state's new fusion center, live cross border information sharing on targeted offenders when they are arrested and utilizing DNA to remove violent criminals from our streets. Another example would be the $1.5 million state grant to purchase 700mhz radios which allowed local police departments to operate on a single frequency and seamlessly communicate. Moving forward we need to explore new tools for law enforcement to reduce crime such as maximizing the Maryland Gun Safety Center to implement enhanced background checks, executing electronic warrants, and completing pilot programs and implementing RFPs for managed access technologies."