The commissioner has asked for more federal agents and federal prosecutors to join in fighting the violence.
Baltimore’s police commissioner says a flood of drugs on the streets after dozens of pharmacies were looted during riots in April has contributed to a surge in violence.
There were at least 43 homicides in May in Baltimore, the most in a month since the early 1970s. Commissioner Anthony Batts said at a news conference Wednesday that “these are not numbers,” but human beings.
Batts announced 27 pharmacies were looted during riots following the April 19 death of Freddie Gray, a man injured in police custody. Six officers are charged in his death.
Batts says the drugs now on the streets are fueling turf wars as gangs and other factions vie for customers.
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