Baltimore County Executive Kevin
Kamenetz informed Mayor Stephanie
Rawlings- Blake that Baltimore County
will not seek $257,000 in
reimbursement from Baltimore City for
the County’s police and fire
assistance during the unrest that took
place in the City this past April and
May.
The City earlier announced that it had
been denied federal funds to help
defray the costs of the unrest, and
that the funds would have to come from
its Rainy Day fund.
“Baltimore County is a partner with
Baltimore City in every way,” said
Kamenetz. “This past spring, I
directed Police Chief Jim Johnson and
Fire Chief John Hohman to provide
whatever assistance was necessary to
help the City deal with a very
difficult situation. The residents of
Baltimore County recognize that a
strong Baltimore City is key to
regional strength and stability, and
for that reason, the County will not
seek reimbursement.”
“From the time of the unrest, County
Executive Kamenetz has demonstrated
his commitment to our regional
partnership, from encouraging county
residents to spend their Mother’s Day
at city restaurants to this fall’s
promotion of the value of city arts
experiences to the region,” Mayor
Rawlings-Blake said. “All of us in
Baltimore City are appreciative of the
support we received from Baltimore
County police officers and
firefighters during last spring’s
unrest, and the support we continued
to receive during this fall’s trial.
The County Executive’s decision not to
seek reimbursement for last spring’s
costs is just another example of his
commitment to a regional partnership
and vision.”
In November, Kamenetz launched the
Baltimore Arts—Just Down the Road
campaign encouraging County citizens
to support Baltimore City’s arts and
cultural attractions. Back on May, he
appeared in a Mother's Day video
encouraging citizens of the County to
return to the City after the spring
unrest.
Kamenetz indicated that should County
assistance be required in the future
each event will have to be evaluated
individually, and that this action
does not set a precedent for future
decisions.
