November 8, 2019
Last Friday, November 1, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) jointly submitted comments on a report analyzing gaps in Baltimore, Maryland's behavioral health system. "The Baltimore Public Health System Gap Analysis - Final Report, October 2019" is a requirement of the 2017 Consent Decree between the U.S. Department of Justice and the City of Baltimore, Maryland, and the Baltimore Police Department (BPD). The Consent Decree resolves the Justice Department's claims that the BPD violates the constitutional and civil rights of Baltimore residents, including people of color and people with disabilities, through the excessive use of force; racially discriminatory stops, searches, and arrests; and the failure to make reasonable accommodations when responding to calls involving people with disabilities and in crisis.
The "Gap Analysis" recommends that Baltimore expand and enhance services available in its public health system, to help reduce unnecessary and inappropriate interactions between BPD officers and people with disabilities, in Baltimore predominantly Black and Latinx people with disabilities. Bazelon and DRM believe the report's recommendations are sound overall, and make four suggestions for implementation.
Read the one page executive summary of our comments here:
11-8-19 Executive Summary of Bazelon and DRM Comments on Baltimore PHS Gap Analysis
Read our full comment letter here:
11-1-19 Bazelon Center and DRM Full Comments on Baltimore Public Health System Gap Analysis
Read "The Baltimore Public Health System Gap Analysis - Final Report, October 2019" here:
The Baltimore Public Health System Gap Analysis - Final Report, October 2019
Read the U.S. v. Baltimore Consent Decree here:
U.S. v. Police Department of Baltimore City, et. al.
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