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Baltimore City Schools Considers Program to Reduce Violence


Baltimore City Schools Considers Program to Reduce Violence
Baltimore City Schools Considers Program to Reduce Violence
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Would you want a convicted criminal in your child’s classroom? Some say a new program that would put convicts in schools, could actually lower crime. Now, that program appears to be gaining traction in Baltimore City Schools.

When Project Baltimore first introduced you to Millie Brown in August, she was overwhelmed. As the founder of a non-profit, Tears of a Mother’s Cry, Brown says her organization has helped about 1,000 families impacted by violence. And she’s tired.

“Because my phone constantly rings, ‘Ms. Millie, this is my son's anniversary of his death. Can you talk to me?’ I just want it to stop,” explained Brown.

Over the years, Brown has watched Baltimore become what could be the most dangerous city in America. She thinks she can save it, but she needs help. She got it from Craig Wolf.

“I was just drawn to him,” said Brown. “I had to get on the phone and say ‘hey can you come meet with me?’ He came just like that.”

At the time, Wolf was the Republican candidate for Maryland Attorney General who produced television advertisements about the escalating violence in Baltimore City.

“You’ve got to reach the kids,” said Wolf. “I mean, the kids are where it all starts, and frankly, if you don’t reach them when they’re young, it may be too late.”

Wolf threw his support behind P.I.C. or Parents In the Classroom, a program Fox45 first reported on in August. Brown says after Project Baltimore’s first story, City Schools agreed to pilot the program. The goal, to stop kids from turning to violence by getting parents more involved.

“You have 15, 14, 16-years-olds being charged as an adult, you know what I mean, going to jail or to prison for God knows how long. Where is mom? Where is dad?” asked Brown. “You have to step up and get into these schools.”

Brown says P.I.C. will help young people understand the real-life consequences of their actions by hearing from the people impacted the most- people like Tamica Howard.

“That’s the last thing I see is my son laying on the ground and he’s gone. He’s gone,” Howard told Project Baltimore in August.

Howard’s son was shot to death in April. She’s working with P.I.C. in hopes that her pain will stop another young person from picking up a gun. And if not, maybe they’ll listen to someone on the other side, someone who took a life, someone like Jermaine Woodard.

“I watched this individual, this brother, I watched him die. I watched life leave his body. I watched it,” Woodard told Fox45 in September.

Woodard spent 21 years in prison for murder.

“The only way I can atone for what I done is try to help others,” he said.

And then there’s Wolf, who will share his perspective about the unforgiving nature of the law.

“Having been a state and federal prosecutor, I’ve put many, many people in jail for many, many years, and I know the effect is has on families, and I know the effect it has on the individuals involved,” said Wolf.

Wolf says he and Millie are working to get more support for P.I.C. because Baltimore City can’t wait.

“Time is precious,” said Brown. “This has to be done now.”

“I know nothing’s going to change in one day, but if you can start getting the building blocks in place, maybe over 5 to 10 years, Baltimore can turn itself around,” said Wolf.

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