Giving ex-cons a second chance is important, according to two experts, but they said ensuring city government has strong enough protocols in place to ensure tax dollars and city resources aren’t wasted is critical.
 

Baltimore City government requires a criminal background check before people can become gainfully employed with the city.
 

One agency has had a few notable employees make headlines for criminal activity, or facing charges for potential criminal behavior; in June 2021, a former DPW supervisor was sentenced to federal jail for extortion and misuse of his authority as a public employee; in September 2021, a DPW worker faced gun charges for binging a gun to work and allegedly threating a co-worker.
 

In January 2022, Kirk Parker, Jr. was arrested for attempted to steal an ATM in Baltimore County using a stolen city vehicle. Parker, Jr.’s background check would have shown several previous charges.
 

“I’m all for allowing people who are called returned citizens, ex-offenders, to come back and start a new life, but he’s proven not to do that, and in fact his violent history suggests that he should have been under immense scrutiny on the job,” said Sean Kennedy, a visiting fellow from the Maryland Public Policy Institute.
 

The background checks as required by the city are a good step, according to Taxpayers Protection Alliance President David Williams. However, Williams said, it’s important that there are other protocols in place to ensure accountable.
 

“There needs to be oversight by management to ensure that that person is not put in a position where they can do that sort of thing, or repeat what they have done in the past,” Williams said.
 

An analysis of DPW employees done by FOX45 News, approximately 20% to 30% of employees have a felony conviction on their record. FOX45 News sent question to Mayor Brandon Scott asking about the policy:
 

• Are you concerned too many people working in City government have criminal convictions that may pose a threat to City business and services?
• Do people without felony convictions on their records get priority over applicants who do?

Mayor Scott’s Office did not answer.