Councilman Kristerfer Burnett introduced oversight legislation for Baltimore’s
A Baltimore City councilman is taking aim at the citation docket program, introducing legislation for quarterly reporting to the council after what he said were “ethical and fiscal flags” raised at a budget hearing earlier this year.
Councilman Kristerfer Burnett, a Democrat representing West Baltimore, has been critical in the past of the docket, a program begun by Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, also a Democrat, to manage low-level criminal offenses such as loitering, drinking in public and drug possession. When someone receives a citation, prosecutors offer to drop the charges after the defendant completes community service. Bates has also pledged to offer wraparound services, like drug treatment, to those charged.
The docket, which was introduced in 2023 as an alternative to a previous policy of not prosecuting such offenses under the leadership of State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, has been a political hot button. The City Council met previously to discuss the use of the docket by Baltimore Police, where some criticized its lack of use. The docket was a frequent topic during the mayoral race earlier this year and was discussed during a budget hearing for Bates’ office in May.
Burnett’s bill, introduced Monday, would require quarterly reports to the council on enforcement of citations as well as the establishment of “metrics and guidelines” for the program. Councilmembers Phylicia Porter, Odette Ramos and John Bullock
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