Baltimore advances plan for new Department of Neighborhood Safety amid funding concerns

Baltimore City Council voted 12-1 to advance legislation establishing the Department of Neighborhood Safety, a new agency designed to change how the city responds to emergencies such as mental health crises, according to FOX45 Baltimore.

The proposed department aims to handle certain calls currently managed by police officers, particularly those involving mental health and homelessness, areas where law enforcement may not be best suited, City Council President Zeke Cohen said.

The full cost of the new agency is not yet known but could start at $50 million. Cohen suggested funding might come from the Baltimore Police Department’s overtime budget, with the idea that shifting some calls could reduce police overtime expenses over time.

However, some city leaders and taxpayer advocates have expressed concerns about the reliability of overtime savings to fund the new department. Councilman Mark Conway, who opposed the legislation, questioned whether overtime reductions would be sufficient to support the agency.

The debate reflects ongoing discussions about how Baltimore can best allocate resources to public safety and mental health services while managing budget constraints.