Fox News’ Leland Vittert says his source, a “senior law enforcement official”, told him Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake gave the order for police to stand down, “let them loot, it’s only property”! Now many on the left will come out attacking Fox, citing an earlier clip with Bill Hemmer who asked the Mayor directly on this issue. Rawlings-Blake denied it stating equipment was not in position to react. So what proof do we have?
The proof we have to validate this source inside Baltimore PD is HOURS of video! America as a whole clearly witnessed looting and the destruction of property live on air within clear sight of Baltimore PD. Sure the left can come out in defense of the mayor but video doesn’t lie. Are we to believe that because police wagons were not in position to cart away prisoners the police allowed multiple crimes to be permitted right before them? It is the police’s duty to defend property and citizens from criminals, only a direct order to stand down could resort to the chaos and mayhem we watched unfold.
Vittert also reports that police initially were told what they could and could not wear. This too makes sense after the number of officers that were injured; more than likely in an attempt to avoid the imaginary of militarization like we saw in Ferguson.
Mayor Rawlings-Blake is on tape saying the decision was made and ‘gave those who wished to destroy space to do that’. We have her again on tape attempting to walk that back blaming the media for “blatant mischaracterization” of her words. And now someone within the police department, who has probably had enough of the finger-pointing and backpedaling, has leaked that she gave the stand down order.
Gov Hogan said in a press conference that they were ready to send in reinforcements but waited on the Mayor. Why hasn’t anyone demanded the mayors immediate resignation? She is completely incompetent and you should know she serves as the secretary of the Democratic National Committee!