Subtitle 16 – Bmore Safe Places {a/k/a “NeighborWatch Areas”}
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Code art. 14, § 16-1 (2026)
§ 16-1 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b)Area.
“Area” means an area consisting of 2 or more block faces.
(c)Block face.
“Block face” means all properties, including commercial, religious, and residential properties, on 1 side of a street between 2 consecutive intersecting streets.
(d)Board.
“Board” means the Bmore Safe Places Board established by this subtitle.
(e)NeighborWatch Area.
“NeighborWatch Area” means an area designated as a NeighborWatch Area under this subtitle.
History: Ord. 93-209
History: Ord. 10-399
History: Ord. 18-106
Balt., Md., Code art. 14, § 16-2 (2026)
§ 16-2 Program established.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
There is a NeighborWatch Area Program to promote a crime-free environment in neighborhoods, with priority attention for public upgrades given to neighborhoods that organize themselves to:
(1)
improve their own private lighting and trimming of greenery to reduce interference with the lighting of the neighborhood; and
(2)
either:
(i)
register privately-owned security cameras with the City; or
(ii)
run their own resident-based or privately-funded security patrol.
(b)Availability.
The Program is available to all qualified areas of the City.
(c)Qualifications.
To qualify for the Program, an area must meet the criteria set forth in this subtitle and in the rules and regulations adopted by the Board under this subtitle.
History: Ord. 93-209
History: Ord. 10-399
History: Ord. 18-106
Balt., Md., Code art. 14, § 16-3 (2026)
§ 16-3 Board established.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
There is a Bmore Safe Places Board.
(b)Composition.
The Board comprises the following 21 members:
(1)
14 members appointed by the Mayor in accordance with <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="IV|§6">Article IV, § 6 of the City Charter</cite>.
(2)
1 Councilmember appointed by the City Council President.
(3)
The Police Commissioner or the Commissioner’s designee.
(4)
The Director of Recreation and Parks or the Director’s designee.
(5)
The Commissioner of Housing and Community Development or the Commissioner’s designee.
(6)
The Director of Transportation or the Director’s designee.
(7)
The Director of Planning or the Director’s designee.
(8)
The Director of the Mayor’s Office on Criminal Justice or the Director’s designee.
History: Ord. 93-209
History: Ord. 10-399
History: Ord. 18-106
Balt., Md., Code art. 14, § 16-4 (2026)
§ 16-4 Quorum.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Quorum.
A majority of the members of the Board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
(b)Voting.
An affirmative vote by the majority of a quorum is sufficient for any official action.
History: Ord. 10-399
Balt., Md., Code art. 14, § 16-5 (2026)
§ 16-5 Officers.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Chair.
The Chair of the Board is designated by the Mayor from among the appointed members.
(b)Others.
The Board may elect, from among its members, any other officers needed from time to time.
History: Ord. 10-399
Balt., Md., Code art. 14, § 16-6 (2026)
§ 16-6 General duties.LinkCopy Citation
The Board shall:
(1)
publicize and promote the NeighborWatch Area Program established by this subtitle using materials approved by the Board;
(2)
consider applications requesting designation of areas as NeighborWatch Areas; and
(3)
approve the design and specifications of the signs that the Department of Transportation provides in accordance with <cite data-path="|14|§16-12|(f)">§ 16-12(f) {“Operation[s]: Signage”} of this subtitle</cite>.
History: Ord. 93-209
History: Ord. 10-399
History: Ord. 18-106
History: Ord. 19-332
Balt., Md., Code art. 14, § 16-7 (2026)
§ 16-7 Meetings.LinkCopy Citation
The Board shall meet on the call of the its Chair or the Mayor as frequently as required to perform its duties, but not less than once every 6 months.
History: Ord. 10-399
Balt., Md., Code art. 14, § 16-8 (2026)
§ 16-8 Rules and regulations.LinkCopy Citation
Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Board shall adopt rules and regulations to:
(1)
govern its procedures;
(2)
implement the NeighborWatch Area Program; and
(3)
otherwise carry out this subtitle.
History: Ord. 93-209
History: Ord. 10-399
History: Ord. 18-106
History: Text Conformed 02/21/21
Balt., Md., Code art. 14, § 16-9 (2026)
§ 16-9 Applications for designation.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Applications by residents.
(1)
To be considered for the NeighborWatch Area Program, a neighborhood group, group of residents, or community association shall submit an application to the Board indicating that at least 60% of the residents of the area wish to be designated a NeighborWatch Area.
(2)
The boundary of the proposed NeighborWatch Area must be dearly identified in the application.
(3)
In addition, the residents must certify in the application which of the following they are able to provide:
(i)
the location and ownership of all privately-owned security cameras to be registered with the City;
(ii)
the frequency of any resident-based or privately-funded security patrol;
(iii)
a commitment that they have and will use front and rear outdoor lights on their individual homes; or
(iv)
a commitment that they will trim back – and keep trimmed – any privately owned greenery that might interfere with either public or private lighting of the neighborhood.
(b)Applications by Police Commissioner.
If the Police Commissioner determines that a delay would be harmful to the public safety and welfare, the Commissioner may apply directly to the Board to have an area designated a NeighborWatch Area.
History: Ord. 93-209
History: Ord. 10-399
History: Ord. 18-106
History: Ord. 19-332
Balt., Md., Code art. 14, § 16-10 (2026)
§ 16-10 Referral to police district.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Required referral.
The Board shall refer each application to the local police district.
(b)Confirmation of need.
The Major of that district must confirm that calls for service and incident reports from the area demonstrate a need for increased public-safety measures.
History: Ord. 93-209
History: Ord. 10-399
Balt., Md., Code art. 14, § 16-11 (2026)
§ 16-11 Action by Board.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The Board may approve or deny an application.
(b)Reasons to be given for denial.
If an application is denied, the Board must state the reasons for the denial.
History: Ord. 93-209
History: Ord. 10-399
Balt., Md., Code art. 14, § 16-12 (2026)
§ 16-12 Operation of Program.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
On designation of a NeighborWatch Area, the City will take the following steps in the Area.
(b)Private lighting confirmed.
Private lighting will be confirmed.
(c)Privately owned greenery.
The City Forester will inspect greenery on private property and make recommendations to the owners for trimming any privately owned greenery that might interfere with either public or private lighting of the neighborhood.
(d)Publicly owned trees.
The City Forester will trim all trees on public property that interfere with or decrease the effectiveness of the street lighting.
(e)Upgraded street lighting.
Street lighting will be upgraded on a priority basis, using state-of-the-art technology to achieve the most acceptable level of lighting at the most reasonable cost.
(f)Signage.
The Department of Transportation will post at least one sign on each blockface of the Area, stating that this block is part of a NeighborWatch Area.
History: Ord. 93-209
History: Ord. 10-399
History: Ord. 18-106
History: Ord. 19-332