BALTIMORE (WBFF) — From open-air drug markets to a violent assault of a priest and the number of homicides in the city soaring above 300, crime in Baltimore is showing no signs of slowing down. It’s a crisis for the city that’s renewed debate over whether voters should be allowed to recall city elected officials - in particular, Mayor Brandon Scott.
 

FOX45 took the matter to the streets Monday night.
 

“He [Scott] got to step up. As you can see, I mean, look at our neighborhoods, crime is at an all-time high,” said one Baltimore resident.
 

“Somebody needs to take the responsibility for everything that’s going on in the city. Tragedy seems like it’s unstoppable,” said one man.
 

“That’s dumb. Why recall him? He [Scott] can’t do any more than anybody else,” said another man.
 

But in Baltimore City, a recall is not easy.
 

In fact, as outlined by Sean Kennedy with the Maryland Public Policy Institute, the city’s charter currently only allows members of the city council to remove other city elected officials. The people can petition them to consider a removal, but direct removal or recall is not allowed in Baltimore.
 

“We need some type of recourse. The best way to do that is to give the people of Baltimore the right to remove politicians, and at the very least, that kind of accountability keeps them in line and they’ll respond to citizens’ concerns. Because they know always hanging over their heads is, if they step out of line, people will strike back.”
 

A few steps must be taken before voters have the ability to recall local elected officials. One big step is the city’s charter would have to be amended.
 

That can be done via petition or the city council could vote to put it on the ballot.