Nov 28, 2009 8:17 am US/Eastern
NAACP Launches Push To Capture Balt. City Rapists
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
-
-
A string of sex attacks has East Baltimore on edge, and there's now a new push to get the men responsible off the streets and behind bars.
CBS
A string of sex attacks has East Baltimore on edge. There's now a new push to get the men responsible off the streets and behind bars.
Mike Hellgren reports Crime Stoppers is now offering a $2,000 reward, and the NAACP is asking for volunteers to hand out flyers.
After rapes, sexual assaults and a murder, women in East Baltimore are scared. Police are asking them to stay inside after midnight.
"Just like the crime in Baltimore City, people get kind of numb from it. We're saying, 'No, we can't get numb.' We're talking about our mothers, daughters, our sisters, our grandmothers and they're vulnerable," said Marvin 'Doc' Cheatham, Baltimore City NAACP.
The organization is looking for volunteers to hand out flyers Saturday at noon at the Knox Presbyterian Church on Eden Street.
"We can't police ourselves out of these situations. The community must rise up and take control of their own community," said Cheatham.
The flyers include sketches of the men police believe are behind the string of crimes, including several where women were dragged from the street and raped.
Another series of attacks occurred inside homes. Also possibly connected, a murder. A woman, partially clothed, was found dead on Eager Street.
"Evidently these two guys have a plan. They're laying low, and they're watching," said Cheatham.
"I get off at 4 o'clock, and I try to make it home before it gets dark because I've got to walk right down there," said Martika Floyd, East Baltimore.
"My daughter leaves out to go to work in the morning, and I'm very concerned about her walking to work," said Rhonda Kelley.
Police have beefed up patrols and held community meetings, but no arrests have been made to calm the fear that's gripped the area for over a month.
"It was clear the officers in the eastern district had done just about all they could do," said Cheatham. "If we don't stop this, who else is going to stop it?"
Anyone with information about the crimes should call the 24-hour tip line at 1-888-223-0033.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
WJZ.COM's Most Popular Slideshows
Shocking Celebrity Suicides
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments