A disturbing incident outside the Cross Street Public House in Federal Hill is currently being scrutinized by Baltimore police after a video surfaced on the internet. In the footage captured, a man believed to be a security guard is seen putting a patron in a chokehold and then forcefully slamming him against a car. According to Fox Baltimore, onlookers can be heard expressing concern, with one witness noting, "He turned pink," and others urging the guard to release the individual, shouting, "He tapped, he tapped, let him go, let him go."
As this altercation involved a presumed Loyola student, tension has erupted within the Federal Hill locale. The city police, who have stated that there were no reports or 911 calls about the incident as of yesterday afternoon, are still piecing together what exactly transpired. The establishment's proprietors have publicly disassociated themselves from the security personnel, claiming the implicated individual was hired through an external security firm, per a statement to Fox Baltimore. Baltimore City Councilman Yitzy Schleifer weighed in on the matter, demanding responsibility from those serving as bouncers or security guards, a sentiment he shared on social media platforms.
Contrastingly, amid these unsettling events, the Federal Hill Neighborhood Patrol, initiated after a string of violence and crimes in the area, has reported a notable drop in crime figures. This success comes from their longstanding collaboration with the MATCOM Office of Public Safety, a private security firm, with crime numbers decreasing by 41% in some parts of Federal Hill, as detailed by CBS News Baltimore. The local community patrol has the capacity to detain individuals if a crime occurs within its jurisdiction, thanks to its certification as special police in the state.
