As Twitchy reported, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake held a press conference Wednesday afternoon at which she announced the firing of Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, who she said had become a “distraction” as tensions between City Hall and the police union had escalated to the point where the FOP released an after-action report saying Batts had “led us officers to slaughter” during the Freddie Gray riots.
Ironically, Rawlings-Blake — whose city recorded more than 40 homicides and 100 shootings in May alone — was a guest on PBS NewsHour last night to discuss approaches to an anticipated surge in gun violence this summer.
How can cities stop spikes of summer violence? @MayorSRB, @MayorLandrieu & @GSlutkin discuss http://t.co/i9Yuwb9Tor
— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) July 8, 2015
In her press conference today, Rawlings-Blake said she appreciated Batts’ contributions but “too many continue to die.”
SRB it is clear the recent focus has been on leadership more than crime fighting.
— David Collins (@dcollinsWBAL) July 8, 2015
"Too many continue to die on our streets including 3 last night.1 today. Families tired of feeling this pain so am I" @MayorSRB #battsfiring
— Shelley Orman (@ShelleyOFox45) July 8, 2015
SRB citing rising homicide rate as reason for Batts' dismissal
— Carrie Wells (@cwellsbalt) July 8, 2015
Wow, SRB linking Batts firing to spike in homicides, as AP reported.
— Brandon Weigel (@brandon_weigel) July 8, 2015
"The people of Baltimore deserve better and we're going to get better," @MayorSRB
— Yvonne Wenger☀️ (@yvonnewenger) July 8, 2015
Plenty agreed that the city deserves better — a better mayor.
Now, let us all call for @MayorSRB to resign as well. It was her that selected Batts to begin with.
— Baltimore BLOC (@BmoreBloc) July 8, 2015
Twice in recent wks Mayor SRB declared her full support of Anthony Batts as BPD Commissioner. Now she's firing him
— Jayne Miller (@jemillerwbal) July 8, 2015
https://twitter.com/Cameron_Gray/status/618870200763580417
https://twitter.com/LawrenceBJones3/status/618874528500813824
Hey @MayorSRB , you're gonna run out of people to throw under the bus, the blame starts & stops with you! https://t.co/krPljlmvD2
— Mark Culp (@MarkCulp3) July 8, 2015
It's not Batts, it's U! U caused the murder/crime to rise in #BaltimoreCity! @MayorSRB idiot liberals in city hall blaming others
— Kimberly Klacik (@kimKBaltimore) July 8, 2015
https://twitter.com/911PatchWA/status/618879215144845312
https://twitter.com/FURDOG54/status/618879339417878528
@MayorSRB should be ashamed of herself. I wish you could vote people OUT OF OFFICE! #Baltimore
— Maureen (@cromerprobs) July 8, 2015
@Ollieswife @HotNostrilsrFun @MayorSRB Lets hope the BCPD security team at her office walks out and lets her fend for herself
— Bella Luna 316 (@316BellaLuna) July 8, 2015
So long, Batts! Too little, too late and this won't save you @MayorSRB . You are next.
— ??? ??? ?????????™ (@BeattyLaw) July 8, 2015
https://twitter.com/_HankRearden/status/618879641424654336
Now all that @MayorSRB needs to do is resign from mayor and maybe just maybe the city will take a step in the right direction..
— matt richarts (@matteyboh) July 8, 2015
https://twitter.com/michelledivv/status/618889880068714496
@RectorSun @baltimoresun @MayorSRB Should have axed the city's number one leader, herself!
— Tony Fidler (@FidlerTony) July 8, 2015
@MayorSRB @MayorLandrieu @NewsHour The blood in your city…it's on YOUR hands. But u knew that
— Morpheus (@pdw_67) July 8, 2015
So wait @MayorSRB caused the chaos and havoc in Baltimore and it's the police commissioners fault ? You have no shame SMFH so vile
— ✭☘Uncle Steve☘✭ (@Lambjrstephen) July 8, 2015
@RedNationRising @MayorSRB She should fire the Fire Chief because of the thugs setting fires! No thought of resigning for lousy leadership!
— Cynical One (@chipbunn) July 8, 2015
So I guess none of this is #MayorSRB fault? I think she's a coward and needs to resign. #baltimore
— Nikki Copeland (@NMCsworld) July 8, 2015
Now that Batts has been fired, can we please get whatever needs to happen to do the same to @MayorSRB. She is way worse than Batts
— Cory Baker Filmmaker (@LegendCB5) July 8, 2015
@MayorSRB We pray you are the next one to go.
— Beachen (@L_2222_) July 8, 2015
@BrianfromABC2 @MayorSRB <— The clown that gave "room to destroy" should resign.
— blah blah (@Redeyesgirl63) July 8, 2015
An art project by a Baltimore kid about @Mayorsrb #pcbatts press conference pic.twitter.com/kfDazMfMTX
— dannytrolls (@dannynolls) July 8, 2015
At what point does @MayorSRB seriously look at what has happened under her tenure and admit she isn't capable. #Baltimore
— Cory Baker Filmmaker (@LegendCB5) July 8, 2015
Did we mention that Rawlings-Blake was just named president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors?
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