Crime has continued to escalate in parts of Baltimore. A recent report exposed the fact that youth crime in the city is off the charts as school attendance plummets. These numbers do not compare to the recent violence that crippled part of Baltimore as local police virtually took over the part of the city for five days. This crisis began with the murder of Police Officer Det. Sean Suiter.

Suiter was an 18-year veteran of the force who was patrolling the area on Wednesday, November 15th at about 5 pm. He was patrolling West Baltimore when he came across a scene that raised his concerns and called it in as being “suspicious activity.” He approached a man and was shot in the head at close range.

Even though Suiter was immediately transported to a local hospital, he died from the wound. As expected the area was instantly turned into a crime scene while police searched for the suspect.

Rest In Peace Detective Sean Suiter https://t.co/NiKIdmzbAD pic.twitter.com/l7vkrOKjMv — Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) November 16, 2017

While this was a reasonable and expected reaction to the crime, the fact that police seemed to move in to take over all of West Baltimore for almost a week was not. The ACLU has even stepped in to stand up for residents. According to the local ACLU office, members are “…troubled by reports that some persons entering or leaving the area have been subject to pat down searches, and that non-residents have been barred from entering the area.”

The area around the crime scene expanded to include several blocks in each direction. Police moved in wearing riot gear and openly carried assault rifles on street corners. Residents in the area were not allowed to travel freely from their homes as they were required to pass through check-points with valid identification. Police in Baltimore had taken it upon themselves to declare martial law.

When police moved into the area, many described their take over as turning their homes and community into an “open-air prison.” The daily flow of traffic was put to a stop and officers made their presence well known all over the neighborhood. Police in tactical gear went door to door asking neighbors over and over for information about the shooting.

Residents patted-down, harassed. “Other murders, you didn’t see anything like this,” said a man, showing yellow slip @BaltimorePolice required him to show. Harlem Pk lockdown "troubling," @ACLU_MD says https://t.co/FW71S5bgxE pic.twitter.com/Q7ln0beYM1 — Baltimore Brew (@BaltimoreBrew) November 20, 2017

And apparently police been standing on corners like this the last two days pic.twitter.com/y9Qrd2TSRe — Pulla (@KINGDACEO) November 17, 2017

In the days following the murder, details emerged about why Suiter was in the area initially. It seems he was investigating a previous homicide and that was what brought him to the location. This occurred in the 900 block of Bennett Place. That site is in the middle of one of the most dangerous housing projects in the area, Druid Hills Park.

In many cities, an increased level of police patrolling would help to ease the mind of those living in the area. This does not seem to be the case here as citizens react in frustration after being forced to comply with martial law like conditions. Having officers in riot-like gear and armed with automatic guns have put many on high alert in the area.

"The occupation of the Harlem Park neighborhood feels less like a reputable institution carrying out a search for justice, and much more like an illegal gang terrorizing ordinary people in an effort to reassert their bruised dominance."https://t.co/PFtvBOIsDw

My latest. — Sheridan Waverly (@SherWHM) November 20, 2017

From the start, the police shared that all of the activity around the scene was tied to arresting the shooter. This again may have made sense right after the shooting, but as hours turned into days, it was not the case. Members of the ACLU made a public statement that included:

“While the search for a killer is, of course, a high priority for the police, the limits on lawful police behavior do not disappear even when engaged in that pursuit. And at least one federal appellate court has said that a similar police cordon and checkpoint system was unconstitutional.

The residents of Baltimore, and, in particular, the residents of the affected community, deserve a clear explanation from the City as to why this unprecedented action has been taken, what rules are being enforced, and why it is lawful. The need to secure a crime scene from contamination to preserve evidence does not, on its face, explain the vast area to which access has been restricted for days after the incident.”

The questions from the ACLU about how legal it was for the local authorities to take over a large part of Baltimore for the extended amount of time is still troubling for many. This does not downplay the serious nature of the murder of Suiter but instead, call into question the citizens safety and rights in the area. Many were left with a high level of fear as they were given very little information and felt like they were captives in their homes. They were not allowed into the area without permission, and also outside visitors and the media were cut off from residents.

The investigation is ongoing, and they are offering a substantial reward for information. Local authorities are offering up to $215,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person who murdered Suiter.