Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called the Baltimore Police Department "more nimble" under her Interim Commissioner Kevin Davis, saying she was pleased with his leadership.
Rawlings-Blake on Wednesday said Davis is taking a "collaborative approach to reducing violence in our city." She also credited Davis' leadership with establishing a "war room" to address the spiking violence, a "significant increase in arrests" and the removal of a high number of guns from the street.
"We're still in a fight," the mayor told reporters during a weekly news conference. "There is still much too much violence on our streets. … We've got a much more nimble department when it comes to identifying suspects when we've had these incidents."
Rawlings-Blake said the ability to identify suspects also is a sign to her that the relationship between the police and the community is improving.
"To me, [that is] more than just a sign of his work with the department, but also growing confidence from the community that they're giving information and willing to work with the officers," Rawlings-Blake said. "Because of his collaborative approach, the buy-in from our partners has strengthened, and over the long haul that will be a benefit to the city and will help us reduce violence."
But is she ready to make Davis the permanent replacement for Anthony Batts, who she fired July 8?
"The daily questions on whether or not he's the one, I made it clear that my focus is on getting the surge under control, not whether or not he's the permanent police commissioner," the mayor said.
Rawlings-Blake and Davis will meet with members of the community in East Baltimore at 7 p.m. for the first in a series of Public Safety Forums. She held a similar series last year that she said helped shape her policy decisions.
The meeting will be held at American Brewery, 1701 N. Gay Street. It is open to the public.
"These aren't just for show," Rawlings-Blake said. "We use them to make changes and make improvements."
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