Advertisement Hampden could go dark to protest rising crime 34th Street neighbors frustrated by lack of police response Share Shares Copy Link Copy

What is supposed to be one of the highlights of the holiday season in Baltimore may not happen this year.Mobile users tap here for Tuesday video | Mobile users tap here for video Wednesday videoResidents who live on 34th Street in Hampden said they are thinking of turning off their famous lights for the holidays this year to protest what they are calling rising crime in the area.The idea was started by one resident on 34th Street, and 11 News learned Tuesday that it has spread to a majority of the entire block.The holiday lights celebration on 34th Street in Hampden has become known worldwide, but now the familiar scene could be in jeopardy after residents said there has been a recent rise in violent crime, including a stabbing Monday near 34th Street and the armed robbery of the Subway store on Falls Road."Someone was held up at knife point on their porch on this street, and then less than 48 hours later, somebody was stabbed right around the corner," said 34th Street resident Bob Hosier.Hosier kicked off the idea of not putting up his lights because of the uptick in crime and what he calls no response from the city."I think it would have a heck of an effect. I don't want to go that route, but the problem is no one listens until you rattle the cage, and I've rattled the cage," Hosier said.Surprisingly, people who live in the neighborhood -- like Shacara Waithe, who said her next-door neighbor was recently robbed on her porch -- are buying into Hosier's idea."As a neighbor, our safety is more important than putting on the lights, and if we cannot feel safe in our homes because of the crime, it makes sense for us not to turn on the lights," Waithe said.Baltimore City police would not grant 11 News an interview for the story. Instead, they provided 11 News with crime stats for Hampden, comparing Jan. 1 through Sept. 20 for 2013 and 2014.They said aggravated assaults are down 52 percent and robberies are down 11 percent, but burglaries are up 33 percent.That doesn't bring much calm to the folks along 34th Street."Before it was robberies, breaking into cars and everything like that. Now it's stabbings, muggings at knife point, shootings," 34th Street resident Hope Johnson said.Many of the residents wonder that if the crime is happening to them, what's stopping it from happening to their thousands of guests?"They park two blocks down and have to walk on dark streets because a lot of areas are really darkened out, so it's a high chance they could be mugged on the way, and I don't want to take that chance," Johnson said.City officials respond to residents' concernsA day after residents voiced their concerns, city officials vowed to do something about crime in Hampden."The 7-Eleven has been robbed, (Royal) Farms store robbed. My neighbor was mugged on her front porch. It's gotten out of hand and Baltimore City Police Department and the mayor have got to step up," resident Sharon Burke said.It seems the threat from the residents made its way to City Hall Wednesday. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake expressed concern about the disconnect between the community and police and vowed to change that."In order for us to have a safer city, we have to do it together, meaning we have to work constantly on building bridges and working in collaboration with the community, and for them to feel they have not been heard, that is a serious concern of mine," Rawlings-Blake said."They have every right to say, 'Look, we can't do this if it's not safe for people,'" Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke said.Clarke said she has been fielding concerns from residents in Hampden about the crime.While police said violent crime is down and burglaries are up, she too, is concerned about the police and community disconnect and said she and Councilman Nick Mosby would be open to strengthening communication."Councilman Nick Mosby and I both represent Hampden. We would be more than happy to host and call a meeting with the commander and residents," Clarke said.She said she wants to make residents more comfortable and keep the lights on.There was no word on when exactly the meeting between residents, the city and police is supposed to take place.In the meantime, city officials told 11 News patrols will be stepped up, and holiday foot patrols will be added next month.