To the family and friends of Stephen Pitcairn, we Baltimoreans recognize that this is a very personal loss for you and we send our sympathy. We ask for your understanding as we use Mr. Pitcairn's death as a symbol of what is terribly wrong in the city where we live and work, and as a rallying cry for change. To the witnesses who came forth and identified the murderers, thank you for your courage. It seems to be the only flicker of hope in this tragedy.

Charlotte F. Gerczak, Baltimore