(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – During the height of National Police Week, Team Maryland gathered as a bipartisan delegation Wednesday for a dialogue with federal law enforcement partners based in Maryland, including the newly confirmed U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur. Also joining the meeting were the Maryland Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with Maryland Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Stephen Moyer, Maryland’s Director of Homeland Security Peter Landon, and the Director of the [Baltimore] Mayor’s Office on Criminal Justice Andrew Vetter.
At the top of the agenda was a discussion of the spike in violent crime in Baltimore City, as well as the federal-state-local partnership to combat drugs and illegal guns statewide. There was a thorough review of the specific challenges communities are facing due to gang activity. Across all topics was an overwhelming call for strong partnership among all levels of government and law enforcement.
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“I thank all of our law enforcement leaders for their service and the sacrifices they make to keep Marylanders safe. It is abundantly clear that we must work to maintain strong partnership at the federal, state, and local levels to achieve significant reductions in crime for Baltimore and statewide. It is unacceptable to me how many lives are lost, and how many families are destroyed and scarred forever, due to deadly violence,” said Senator Ben Cardin. “As a federal delegation, we delivered a clear message to our law enforcement partners that we will continue to strongly support their needed funding for federal, state, and local law enforcement programs to combat gun violence, gang violence, and drug and opioid addiction. We also must do everything possible to promote a constructive dialogue between law enforcement and the communities they protect.”
“During National Police Week, I was glad to join my colleagues in the Maryland Delegation to meet with U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert Hur and other federal law enforcement officials,” said Congressman Steny Hoyer. “I appreciated the opportunity to discuss the ways we can work together to improve the safety of our citizens. We must continue to provide support for the men and women who protect our communities.”
“Our federal law enforcement team in Maryland helps ensure the safety and security of our communities. Working together across all levels of government is crucial to addressing crime, violence, opioid abuse, and other challenges Maryland faces,” U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen said. “I am committed to continuing to work with our local, state, and federal partners to move forward on these issues. And in my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will keep fighting for the resources Maryland needs to get this done.”
“I want to thank Maryland’s new U.S. Attorney, Robert Hur, and representatives from federal law enforcement agencies for meeting with the Maryland congressional delegation today,” said Congressman Elijah Cummings. “I look forward to supporting continued efforts to address critical issues in our state, including reducing violent crime in Baltimore and stopping illicit drug trafficking. I know these officials are committed to upholding the rule of law, and I hope they will continue pursuing justice with independence, impartiality, and fairness.”
“If we are going to tackle issues like Baltimore City’s crime rate and our state-wide gang problem head-on, we need seamless coordination between our state and federal law enforcement partners,” Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger said. “My focus is on how I can best assist our new U.S. Attorney and our local field offices of the FBI, ATF and DEA as a House Appropriator.”
“I really enjoyed meeting Maryland’s new U.S. Attorney, Robert Hur, today,” said Congressman John Sarbanes. “We had an important and wide-ranging conversation about how we can keep Maryland’s communities safe.”
“With 343 homicides last year and 523 opioid-related deaths from January to September, Baltimore City is in crisis. As lawmakers, we must work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement to curb these epidemics of violence and substance abuse, and to prevent the spread of violence to neighboring communities,” Congressman Andy Harris said. “Thank you to U.S. Attorney Hur and Special Agents Board, Colder, and Johnson for their continued service and commitment to keeping Maryland safe. Together, we can make Baltimore City safe and prosperous again.”
“I appreciated the opportunity to meet with our federal law enforcement officials and hear firsthand about the work they’re doing, the challenges they face, and how we can work together to protect communities throughout Maryland,” said Congressman John K. Delaney.
“I was pleased to meet Maryland’s new U.S. Attorney Robert Hur and representatives from the FBI, ATF, and DEA at today’s Maryland delegation meeting,” said Congressman Jamie Raskin. “We had a productive and informative conversation about a variety of critical issues facing our state, and I look forward to working with all of them in the future to protect the public and defend the independence and integrity of our justice system.”
“The mission of the United States Attorney’s Office is to reduce crime and to make our communities safer. Strong partnerships and close collaboration with our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners are critical to achieving our goals. My office is committed to continuing and strengthening these partnerships,” said Robert K. Hur, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.
“The Hogan Administration is committed to working with our federal partners to address violent crime in Baltimore City. At Governor Hogan’s direction, over 200 Maryland Parole and Probation agents are working directly with the Baltimore Police Department to assist with locating and arresting violent offenders,” said Stephen T. Moyer, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. “State law enforcement agencies recently partnered with the U.S. Marshals and other federal partners to conduct joint operations resulting in over 500 arrests in Baltimore City, including numerous violent offenders. It will take all of us working together – at the federal, state, and local levels – to put a stop to the violence terrorizing our communities.”
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