FEATURED JOBS
There always seems to be a reason, an excuse.
A young man, Steven Pitcairn, is walking to his Charles Village home from the train station when two thugs took his money and cell phone and then robbed him of his life.
Because the cell phone was on as he was talking to his mother, she apparently heard what was happening.
This was a man whose educational and career track was leading him to a life of self discovery and helping others.
The suspects in his murder are Lavelva Merritt and John Alexander Wagner, whose life transcripts are filled with court records, crime, and probation violations.
In the past couple of weeks, I’ve interviewed Patricia C. Jessamy, for 15 years the City’s State’s Attorney. And I’ve interviewed Gregg Bernstein, a former assistant U.S. Attorney, considered Ms. Jessamy’s toughest opponent in years.
I have a question for both of them. And maybe I’m in error in this question.
Where were they?
Why weren’t they in Charles Village earlier this week tracing the final steps of Mr. Pitcairn?
Mrs. Jessamy, why is it that there is always a reason that these bad guys are out on the street? Why? Maybe Mr. Bernstein’s campaign points questioning your record have more merit to them than just election rhetoric.
In our articles, we asked the question if a white candidate could defeat an entrenched black incumbent like Mrs. Jessamy?
So here we go, and I know the answers that come back my way just like I know a wave at the ocean will break a certain way and the under tow will pull in a different direction.
What about black on black crime?
Why is Mr. Pitcairn’s death to be given more weight than a black victim?
Why?
Why?
Why?
Because maybe it takes the focus off the real issue. That issue being that two failures were on the street and killed a man, a promising young man.
This wasn’t in gang controlled places around the city. This was Charles Village. This is where my daughter would go read poetry while she was in college. This is where friends live and where I would take long walks to when our office was located on 21st Street and Charles.
Stop telling me this could happen anywhere.
Help me and others who want so desperately to believe in Baltimore that you Mrs. Jessamy and you Mr. Bernstein will do something to keep scum like this off of the streets of Baltimore.
Don’t waste my time if it’s about getting elected or re-elected. Tell me what you are going to do. Give me and the citizens of Baltimore City, where I’ve lived most of my life answers.
Why wasn’t strength delivered in the sentencing and incarceration of these two whatever they are?
You know I can’t help but think of the following scenario. At the end of the movie “Schindler’s List,” there is a quote discussing how many numbers of Jews and generations were born because of the numbers saved by Oskar Schindler.
I look at this information about Mr. Pitcairn, and I wonder would he have had children and grandchildren and descendants. What would he have contributed to our society that we so surely need.
Instead, we get excuses. It’s never anyone’s fault, is it?
If it’s not the cop, it’s the state’s attorney. If it’s not the state’s attorney, it’s the judge.
I am charging both of you, Ms. Jessamy and Mr. Bernstein, if you care so much, then get out on the streets of Charles Village right now. Knock on doors and tell the people who are spending tax dollars in your city that you will protect them.
Because right now, I’m guessing that belief level in what you do isn’t very high.
At a dinner for Shalom USA radio last night, an attorney came up to me and asked me if the Jewish Times is endorsing for office. He was particularly interested in State’s Attorney and is a friend of Mr. Bernstein.
I want to see candidates out there when the going is bad and raw and hurtful.
I want to see them do something. I want them to give us reason to consider any endorsements.
In the memory of Mr. Pitcairn, I demand that you state’s attorney candidates, both incumbent and challenger, do more, much, much more.
Because what is happening now.
It’s unacceptable.
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