By Tashi McQueen,
AFRO Political Writer,
Report for America Corps Member,
tmcqueen@afro.com
Prominent leader and Army veteran Ivan Bates is officially the Baltimore City State’s Attorney.
On Jan. 3, Bates took the oath of office at the War Memorial Building in downtown Baltimore.
“I am humbled and honored that you, the people of Baltimore, have trusted me to become your next State’s Attorney. I intend to hit the ground running and change how we fight crime in Baltimore City,” said Bates.
After being sworn in, he verbally stated that he is reversing some of incumbent Marilyn Mosby’s policies, such as a non-prosecution policy on low-level offenses , while promising Baltimore will not go back to mass incarceration.
He pledged to continue pursuing his goal of getting illegal guns off the streets of Baltimore without respect for a person. If someone gets caught selling ghost guns, an untraceable firearm, or bringing illegal handguns into the city, they will go straight to trial, bypassing a plea bargain.
Bates, 54, recognized that residents simply desire a safer city. Residents continue to express that they feel like prisoners in their homes. Even though they have a beautiful neighborhood, they are afraid to sit outside and enjoy it, for fear of falling victim to gun violence or
“I want to ensure every Baltimorean has confidence that no matter where they live, they will have equal justice under the law,” said Bates.
Mayor Brandon Scott, City Council President Nick Mosby, Baltimore City Comptroller Bill Henry Jr., and many other city officials were in attendance.
Through analogies of sports and celebrating Baltimore, community leaders recalled their interactions with Bates that affirmed Bates’ attorney and leadership skills.
“One day in the early 2000s, an assistant State’s Attorney by the name of Ivan Bates walked into my courtroom,” the Honorable Wanda K. Heard said. “He demonstrated skill, leadership and talent, which caught my attention. I watched as he polished his legal craft, preparing him to be the new ‘quarterback’ we need on our team today.”
“Bates understands that enforcement and prosecution will not solve our city’s issues alone. The community has to be involved,” said Heard. “Bates knows his position and will conduct himself on a high level of lawyering, integrity and honesty.”
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