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Dear Friends:

Just before midnight tonight, I’ll be stopping in to see firsthand Baltimore City’s investment in Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) crime cameras at the central monitoring area known as “Citiwatch” in downtown Baltimore. Currently, there are about 480 CCTV cameras that are monitored at police districts, police headquarters, and Citiwatch headquarters.

I have long been a supporter of continuing to expand Baltimore’s CCTV system. The technology was recently featured in a cover story in Governing Magazine. In April police officials briefed the City Council's Public Safety and Health Committee on the status of the CCTV program. The emphasis on this particular crime-fighting technology could not come at a more appropriate time, as we all have been deeply frustrated by the senseless violence that has occurred in recent weeks. We must be even more vigilant and stand together to find ways to continue to make progress reducing crime.

The cameras have been a critical tool in preventing and solving crime. In 2008, the cameras were instrumental in solving and preventing shootings, robberies, and assaults. Through Citiwatch, camera monitors assisted police in making 729 arrests in the Downtown Business District in 2008—an increase of 32 percent from 2007. During the first quarter of 2009, Citiwatch was responsible for 462 arrests. And in the downtown business district alone, camera arrests increased by 78 percent, according to the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.

Make no mistake, we are making significant progress reducing violent crime in Baltimore. Last year, homicides were reduced to the lowest level since the 1980s—the steepest one-year decline in more than forty years. But, as we all know, this is not a cause for celebration—it is a call for further action. It shows that we can be safer and that increasing violence is not a foregone conclusion. When things get tough, we don’t throw up our hands and give up. We work harder—relentlessly pursuing our goal of becoming a safer city.

We have a long way to go for Baltimore to be the safest big city in America, but we are making steady progress. And the overwhelming and indisputable truth is that Baltimore is much safer the first nine years of this century than it was in the 1990’s. As a city, we decided not to give up then, and we are not going to give up now, not after making so much progress.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

City of Baltimore 2010 Census

The Census Bureau is verifying and updating more than 145 million addresses to prepare for the 2010 Census. New handheld computers equipped with GPS to increase geographic accuracy are being used because the ability to capture GPS coordinates for most of the nation’s housing units will greatly reduce the number of errors caused by paper maps in previous counts. Baltimore City began the operation in April. Address canvassing efforts should end by mid-July.

How to identify Census workers
Census workers can be identified by their official Census Bureau badge. During the address canvassing operation, census workers may ask to verify a housing structure’s address and whether additional living quarters are on the property.

Your information is confidential
2010 Census workers will never ask for bank or Social Security information. All census information collected, including addresses, are confidential and protected by law. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with the FBI, the IRS, CIA, Welfare, Immigration, or any other government agency. No court of law or law enforcement agency can find out respondents’ answers. All Census Bureau employees — including temporary employees — take an oath for life to keep census information confidential. Any violation of that oath is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and five years in prison. For more information about the Census, visit www.baltimorecity.gov.

Assistance with Water Bills for Seniors and Low Income Residents

Baltimore City Low Income Senior Citizen Water Discount Program

Homeowners and tenants whose lease holds them responsible for paying the water bill can apply each year for the discount if they meet the following criteria:
1. The applicant must be a City of Baltimore resident who receives a water/sewer bill directly from the City.
2. The principal resident must be age 65 or older.
3. The combined gross household income must be $25,000 or less.
4. The applicant must certify that he/she is the property owner-of-record with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, or provide a lease showing his/her responsibility for paying water/sewer charges at that property.

Those who qualify receive a 30% discount on their water and sewer rates charged on each quarterly bill. Eligible senior citizens may apply at any of the Senior Community Centers listed on this brochure or may call 311 or 410-396-5398 to obtain an application.

See brochure for complete information
Senior Citizen Discount Application

Baltimore City Low Income Water Assistance Program

• You must be a Baltimore City resident, the utility account holder and receive your water bill directly from the City.
• You must reside at the property on the account.
• You must have received a delinquent, turn-off, or tax sale notice due to being in arrears.
• You must not have an existing payment plan with the Department of Finance.
• You must have verification documents for eligibility.

Once approved:

• You must pledge to make consistent payments on your unpaid and current balance.
• You will receive a credit of $125.00.

See brochure for complete information

City Council This Week

Monday, June 15

City Council Meeting
3:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
The Council meeting will be broadcast live on TV25.
Draft agenda

City Council Meeting
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
The Council meeting will be broadcast live on TV25.

Tuesday, June 16

Hearing: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, James B. Kraft – Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0205 Plastic Bag Prohibition

10:15 AM
08-0208 Plastic Bags - Surcharge

10:30 AM
08-0209 Paper Bags - Surcharge

Wednesday, June 17

Hearing: Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee, Helen Holton – Chair
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
09-0261 Land Bank Authority
This hearing will be broadcast live on TV25.

Thursday, June 18

Hearing: Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee, Helen Holton – Chair
11:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
09-0290 Simulated Slot Machines - Zoning - Licensing and Regulation - Admissions and Amusement Tax

Hearing: Community Development Subcommittee, William H. Cole – Chair
1:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
09-0120R Informational Hearing - The Park Heights Renaissance, Inc.

Hearing: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO09-0048 Follow-up to Summer Learning Partnerships

Hearing: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations/Land Use and Transportation Committee
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0163 Live Entertainment - Licensing and Regulation - Hospitality Services - Promotion and Coordination

Community Events

For a comprehensive listing of events in Baltimore, check the City Council's online events calendar.

Friday, June 12

Summer Sounds at the Square
Belvedere Square, 6-9pm. Friday night outdoor concert. Featuring: Old Man Brown, blues.

Saturday, June 13

Greater Lauraville Home and Garden Tour
11am-3pm. There will be 5-7 houses on the tour, and Healthy Neighborhoods home renovations will be the highlight. For tickets call 410-444-9188. www.greaterlauraville.com

Rec and Parks Fishing Festival
Druid Hill Park Boat Lake, 10am-1pm. Bring your own rod, or get there early to rent one of a limited number of poles for $1.00. In addition to fishing there will also be games to play and crafts to take home with you.

Homebuyer Education Housewarming Party
Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore (NHS) of Baltimore, 819 Park Ave., 9am-4pm, classes 9am-4pm; festivities noon-3pm. There is a fee for the workshop. 410-327-1200.

The Charles R. Robinson Memorial Celebration
John E. Howard Recreation Center, 2100 Brookfield Ave., 12pm-5pm. See some of Maryland's best former girls basketball players from the All-Metro and All-American Metro Teams from Western, Towson Catholic, Walbrook, Friends School, Dunbar and others. Contact Denise at 443-271-1286 or dkessiah@hotmail.com

Sunday, June 14

Volunteers Needed for Western Run Stream Cleanup
Meet at Cross Country Elementary School, 6100 Cross Country Blvd., 9am-12:30pm. Clean the entire Western Run Stream from Gulley Road to Mt. Washington Village and label 50 storm drains. Sign up with Barry Kaminetz at 410-318-8311 or bkaminetz@chaibaltimore.org.

International Family Day
Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., 11:30am-3:30pm. Multicultural hands-on activities, youth art display, breakdance workshops and more. Free. 410-547-9000. www.thewalters.org

Tour Dem Parks
Carroll Park, 7:30am-12noon. This year, the annual bike tour will have four routes. They all begin and end in Carroll Park. For more information visit www.tourdemparks.org.

June 13-14

HonFest
36th Street in Hampden, between Falls Rd. and Chestnut Ave. Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday noon-6pm. www.honfest.net

St. Nicholas Greek Festival
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 520 S. Ponca St., Friday and Saturday 11am–11pm, Sunday noon-10pm. www.greekfolkfestival.com

St. Anthony Italian Festival
St. Leo Church, 227 S. Exeter St., 12pm-8pm, 410-675-7275.

Thursday, June 18

An Evening of Jazz & Fine Art Benefit
Tabrizi’s, 500 Harborview Dr., 6pm-8pm. Featuring exclusive artwork from Loring Cornish, Michael Owen and Bethann Willson. Proceeds benefit MLA, a volunteer group that provides pro bono legal help to low-income artists and arts organizations. $30-$40. www.mdartslaw.org

Upcoming/Ongoing

Baltimore Pride, June 19-21 Friday, parade and block party, Charles and Eager Streets. Saturday, festival, Druid Hill Park. Maryland's premier event celebrating the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Baltimore and throughout the mid-Atlantic. www.baltimorepride.org

Artists, craftsmen and food vendors are needed for Arts in the Park Festival hosted by the Garwyn Oaks Northwest Housing Resource Center, June 20, 12pm-5pm, Hanlon Park, Gwynns Falls Parkway and Longwood Street. RSVP by June 10. ArtsII@aol.com or 410.947.0084.

Drumming Up Community Remembrance Healing Celebration, June 27, 12pm-3pm, 400 N. Pulaski St. at the Tree Planter Mural. Bring your own drum and enter to win African drums. Contact Denise 410-362-3244.

Nominations are being accepted for the annual Spirited Women of Baltimore Awards, which benefits the American Red Cross of Central Maryland. Deadline is June 30. The awards recognize a Spirited Woman Rising (an up and coming young leader), Spirited Woman in Balance (a working mother) and the Spirited Woman of Baltimore 2009 (an accomplished leader). Nomination forms are available at www.womenandwineevents.com/baltimorecity.shtml

Grade A Student Night at The National Aquarium in Baltimore, June 25, 6:30pm-9pm, Students with 3 A’s or more in any marking period for the 2008-2009 school period will receive free admission to the aquarium and an accompanying adult entering. Reduced rates for other relatives. Register at www.aqua.org/gradeastudent.html or 410-576-3833.

LatinoFest, June 27-28, Saturday noon-10pm, Sunday noon-9pm, Patterson Park at Linwood and Eastern avenues, 410-563-3160, www.latinofest.org.

Federal Hill Main Street’s Jazz & Blues Festival, June 28, 11am-7pm, S. Charles and Cross Streets. Summertime music, food drink, arts & crafts and fun for everyone. FREE admission. www.historicfederalhill.org

Homebuying Incentive Workshop, June 30, 12pm-1:30pm, Enoch Pratt Central Library, Poe Room, bring your lunch to a presentation on Baltimore City homebuying incentives, such as loan and down payment assistance programs, tax credits and other real estate incentive offers toward the purchase of homes in Baltimore City. Register at www.livebaltimore.com/events.

Artspeaks Workshop, July 1, Creative Alliance @The Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., 4pm-7pm. Fun, free art class for children with sickle cell and their families. RSVP by 6/24 to 410-963-5092 or rbuscemi@wepsicklecell.org. Free.

African American Heritage Festival, July 3-5, Friday 5-10pm, Saturday noon-10pm and Sunday noon-9pm, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-235-2227 ext. 211, www.aahf.net.

Baltimore's Fourth Of July Celebration, July 4, 9:30PM, Inner Harbor.

Caribbean Carnival Festival, July 10-12, Friday 5pm-10pm, Saturday and Sunday noon-9pm, Druid Hill Park. 410-230-2969. www.bmorecarnival.com

Youth Talent Showcase (YTS) hosted by The Baltimore Education and Cultural Institute, July 12, 1pm, Reedbird Park in Cherry Hill, youths 5-18 participate in a non-competitive event to display their creative talents. www.whatfits.net/yts.htm or 240-475-6175.

Enoch Pratt’s Light Street Branch Goes Wireless and additional computers have been installed. Other Wi-Fi Pratt branches are Central, Northwood, Orleans, Roland Park, Southeast Anchor and Waverly.

Professional, business attire clothing donations are needed for The Bon Secours Outreach Center, which provides job readiness training. Clients need clothes and shoes for job interviews. tonia.mccoy@sba.gov 410-962-4392 ext. 316.

Get a free Orioles ticket for your birthday. Any fan can get a free ticket to a game during the month of his or her birthday--unless the Orioles are playing the Yankees or Red Sox. Register online at www.orioles.com/birthdays and receive a voucher for a free birthday ticket.

MD HOPE (Home Owners Preserving Equity) State Hotline 1-877-462-7555. For assessment and possible referral to a housing counseling agency or a volunteer attorney for assistance in your foreclosure matter. www.mdhope.org

Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore’s Foreclosure Prevention Program offers emergency bridge loans to victims of predatory or exotic lending, or homeowners hit with emergencies such as illness or unemployment. Eligible low- to moderate-income homeowners can receive up to $5,000 in deferred loans. 410-327-1200.

Community Greening Resource Network (CGRN), sponsored by Parks and People Foundation, is accepting new members. The CGRN is an annual membership program to support community gardens throughout Baltimore City. It provides community-based groups access to material resources (tool, seeds, plants, mulch, and compost) training opportunities (green space planning, organization, and fundraising), and networking opportunities for sharing skills and experience among community greeners. Sarah Krones 410-448-5663.

New Conversations/Conversaciones Nuevas, Enoch Pratt’s Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Ave., Tuesdays at 11am. Practice casual conversation for beginning English and Spanish speakers, 410-396-1580.

Conserve energy, save money and protect the environment with BGE’s PeakRewards program. If you have central air conditioning or an electric heat pump, you could save up to 15% year round in energy costs. www.bgesmartenergy.com/peakrewards