BALTIMORE, MD (Friday, February 2, 2024) – Baltimore City Council President Nick J. Mosby and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) are currently seeking applications for residents to join Baltimore’s Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC).
“Our citizens are the experts of their own communities. They deserve not just a seat at the table, but a valued and respected voice when it comes to issues of public safety. They have been financially, emotionally, and personally invested in their communities, so more collaboration with the men and women entrusted to serve and protect them would be invaluable,” said Baltimore City Council President Nick J. Mosby. “The Public Safety Advisory Commission offers this opportunity and I encourage residents from all corners of our city to participate and let their voices be heard. I look forward to hearing their input and crafting a way forward for our city through community collaboration.”
“The Public Safety Advisory Commission plays an important role in the co-production of public safety,” said MONSE Director Stefanie Mavronis. “We are calling on residents to join the Commission in order to help shape community engagement and facilitate stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”
The Public Safety Advisory Commission was established by Baltimore City Council Bill 17-0063 in 2017, which was sponsored by then-Councilman Brandon M. Scott. The Commission is tasked with developing an annual report outlining recommendations for Baltimore Police Department (BPD) community engagement protocol and best practices to build strong, productive relationships between police officers and all Baltimoreans, with an emphasis on improving police interactions with marginalized communities. Per the legislation, the City Council President has the authority to appoint members of the public to serve on the PSAC.
Council President Mosby and MONSE are currently accepting applications until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Residents are encouraged to express their interest in serving on Baltimore's Public Safety Advisory Commission by answering a few brief questions and submitting an application online. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis in alignment with open PSAC positions.
Applications will be considered for the following positions:
- One Baltimore City resident, who serves at large;
- One Baltimore City resident from the Southeastern police district;
- One Baltimore City resident from the Eastern police district;
- One Baltimore City resident from the Northwestern police district;
- One Baltimore City resident from the Western police district;
- One Baltimore City resident from the Southern police district;
- One young person between the ages of 14-20;
- One re-entry professional;
- One member of the Latinx/Hispanic community.
The City Council President will appoint individuals to serve the remainder of the four-year term, concurrent with the term of the Mayor. Those appointees will join current appointed members including one resident at-large; residents from the Central, Northeastern, Northern, and Southwestern police districts; and a public housing resident. Baltimore City residents can use BPD’s Find My District Tool to look up which district they live in.
In addition to 16 appointed members, the Commission includes three ex-officio members:
- Chair of the City Council Public Safety and Government Operations Committee;
- Baltimore Police Commissioner;
- Director of the Mayor's Office of Equity and Civil Rights.
The Commission also includes the following representatives:
- One Baltimore City Senator, recommended by the Maryland Senate President;
- One Baltimore City Delegate, recommended by the Speaker of the House;
- One representative of the Fraternal Order of Police;
- One representative of the Vanguard Justice Society.
The Public Safety Advisory Commission meets on a monthly basis with staffing support from MONSE. The body’s first meeting occurred in June 2021. Meeting agendas and minutes can be found on the City’s website.
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