Federal Hill Residents Demand Action on Crime, Public Safety

Community meeting at local park draws officials to address rising violence and quality-of-life concerns.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:14pm

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Dozens of Federal Hill residents gathered at a community meeting in Federal Hill Park to voice concerns about a recent spike in crime and public safety issues in the neighborhood. The meeting was organized by the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association and featured local officials, including City Councilman Zac Blanchard, who pledged to take action on the community's requests for increased enforcement, school security, and solutions to address late-night disturbances.

Why it matters

Federal Hill is a popular Baltimore neighborhood known for its restaurants, bars, and parks, but residents say a rise in violent crime, assaults, and quality-of-life issues like dirt bike riding have left many feeling unsafe in their own community. The meeting underscores growing frustrations among local residents and the pressure on city leaders to respond effectively to community concerns.

The details

The meeting was led by Jen Covino, the public safety chair of the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association. Covino said residents are 'anxious' and 'fearful' about the recent surge in crime, noting there have been 34 assaults in the neighborhood so far this year. Residents are calling for stricter enforcement of park closing times, curfews, and other existing laws and statutes. City Councilman Zac Blanchard, who attended the meeting, said he has convened a group of stakeholders to develop a comprehensive approach to late-night public safety issues and is working with the mayor's office on physical deterrents for dirt bike riding.

  • The meeting took place on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The discussion follows a fatal shooting that occurred early Sunday morning along Key Highway.

The players

Jen Covino

The public safety chair of the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association, who led the community meeting.

Zac Blanchard

A Baltimore City Councilman who attended the meeting and pledged to take action on the community's public safety concerns.

Federal Hill Neighborhood Association

The local community organization that organized the meeting to address crime and public safety issues in the neighborhood.

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What they’re saying

“We're hearing from neighbors who are anxious, they're fearful. The homicides come along with other challenges we're experiencing. We've already experienced 34 assaults year-to-date here in Federal Hill.”

— Jen Covino, Public Safety Chair, Federal Hill Neighborhood Association

“A lot of different public safety challenges in the neighborhood, and I take all of them very seriously. We're working on all of them.”

— Zac Blanchard, Baltimore City Councilman

What’s next

Councilman Blanchard said he has convened a group of stakeholders that will meet every two weeks to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing the neighborhood's public safety concerns. He is also working with the mayor's office on physical deterrents to address the issue of dirt bike riding.

The takeaway

The community meeting in Federal Hill underscores the growing frustrations among residents over a rise in violent crime, assaults, and quality-of-life issues like dirt bike riding. City leaders are under pressure to respond effectively to these concerns and implement concrete solutions to improve public safety in the neighborhood.