Baltimore Police Shut Down Troubled East Baltimore Motel

Rarely-used padlock law used to close Executive Inn for one year due to violence and calls for service.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Baltimore police have used a rarely enforced padlock law to temporarily shut down the Executive Inn motel in East Baltimore for one year. Authorities said the motel had become a public nuisance, with numerous incidents of violence, drug activity, and stolen vehicles recovered from the property over the past few years. After meeting with the motel's owners, an independent hearing examiner ruled in favor of closing the motel, which police commissioner Richard Worley said was necessary "for the good of the neighborhood."

Why it matters

The use of the padlock law to shutter the Executive Inn highlights the challenges Baltimore officials face in addressing persistent crime and nuisance issues at certain businesses. While the law is rarely enforced, it provides a tool to temporarily close down properties that have become magnets for illegal activity and pose a threat to public safety in the surrounding community.

The details

Police said they have investigated 28 incidents at the Executive Inn in recent years, including shootings, stabbings, drug arrests, and the recovery of stolen vehicles. After repeated attempts to work with the motel's owners to address the problems, authorities determined the best course of action was to padlock the property for one year under the rarely used law. The motel's gates have been chained shut and a 'Sorry, we're closed' sign has been posted on the door.

  • In the past few years, police have investigated 28 incidents at the Executive Inn.
  • On February 7, 2026, Baltimore police enforced the padlock order to close the motel for one year.

The players

Richard Worley

Baltimore Police Commissioner who signed the legislation to padlock the Executive Inn.

Executive Inn

A motel in East Baltimore that was forced to close for one year due to violence and high call volume.

Baltimore Highlands

The neighborhood surrounding the Executive Inn, where residents have expressed concerns about public safety and illegal activity at the motel.

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What they’re saying

“It got to the point, for the good of the neighborhood, it was better off for us to padlock the business.”

— Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Commissioner (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“They've had a couple of incidents where they've had lots of ambulances and police and what have you.”

— Patricia Roberts, Nearby Resident (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“We don't want (to have to) padlock you. We want to work with you to get you in compliance, to get you to be an active member of the community. Unfortunately, the Executive Inn did not comply.”

— Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Commissioner (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“The community wants peace. First and foremost, they want safety. Public safety is a big concern around here. This is a major resource for a lot of activity that happens for the Baltimore Highlands.”

— Brant Fisher, Southeast Community Relations Council (WBAL-TV 11 News)

What’s next

The motel's owners have filed an appeal of the decision to close the Executive Inn for one year.

The takeaway

The closure of the Executive Inn motel under Baltimore's rarely used padlock law underscores the challenges city officials face in addressing persistent crime and nuisance issues at certain businesses. While a drastic measure, the temporary shutdown aims to improve public safety in the surrounding Baltimore Highlands neighborhood.