Petition Calls for Safety Improvements Around Baltimore's Waterfront After Man's Death

Residents push for protective railings, increased lighting, and emergency equipment after body of missing 27-year-old Branson Oduor was recovered from Inner Harbor.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:24pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a bright orange life preserver ring against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the call for improved safety measures around the Baltimore waterfront.A stark reminder of the urgent need for enhanced safety precautions around Baltimore's Inner Harbor after a recent tragedy.Baltimore Today

A petition created by Baltimore resident Mandi Feagans is calling on city officials to take immediate action to improve safety measures around the Inner Harbor waterfront, including adding protective railings or barriers, increasing lighting, installing vehicle barriers, and clearly marking emergency equipment like ladders and life rings. This comes after the body of 27-year-old Branson Oduor was recovered from the water on Tuesday, sparking renewed concerns about the dangers of the harbor.

Why it matters

The Inner Harbor is a popular destination for Baltimore residents and tourists, but has long been known for the risk of people accidentally falling into the water, with many stories of bodies being recovered over the years. This latest tragedy has reignited calls for the city to prioritize waterfront safety and implement measures to prevent future incidents.

The details

Feagans, who works in the nearby Fells Point neighborhood, started the petition "Make Baltimore's Waterfront Safe" after Oduor's body was found. The petition asks for a range of safety improvements, including protective railings or barriers in high-risk areas, increased lighting along waterfront walkways, vehicle barriers, visible warning signage in nightlife-heavy zones, and clearly marked and accessible emergency ladders and life rings. Feagans said she's heard too many stories about bodies being recovered from the harbor over the years.

  • On Tuesday, the body of 27-year-old Branson Oduor was recovered from the Inner Harbor water.
  • In 2019, Baltimore City approved more than $50,000 to add more ladders and life rings around the Inner Harbor to prevent deaths from people falling into the water.

The players

Mandi Feagans

A Baltimore resident who created the "Make Baltimore's Waterfront Safe" petition after Branson Oduor's body was recovered from the Inner Harbor.

Branson Oduor

A 27-year-old man whose body was recovered from the Inner Harbor on Tuesday, sparking renewed calls for improved waterfront safety.

Dan Brennan

A Baltimore resident who said a railing or barrier is needed along the waterfront.

Keith Dunlap

A Baltimore resident who said "We just want everyone to be careful. We don't want to have to face any of this trauma."

Mayor Brandon Scott

The mayor of Baltimore who said it's important to let the investigation into Oduor's death play out before determining what safety measures are needed.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I remember being a kid and growing up, at any time we went to the harbor, it was, 'Don't fall in because if you fall in, you probably aren't coming out.'”

— Mandi Feagans, Petition creator

“I don't want it really high and obtrusive, but if it's not, then I think it's a good thing.”

— Dan Brennan, Baltimore resident

“We just want everyone to be careful. We don't want to have to face any of this trauma.”

— Keith Dunlap, Baltimore resident

“We can't just blanketly say that a railing or fence or this or that would have prevented this from happening. We have to look at all safety precautions but we also have to honor people and respect the process of seeing what actually happened before we think about what could have and should have happened.”

— Mayor Brandon Scott

“This isn't about a one extreme solution. This is layered safety, things that can be done to implement better conditions for everyone.”

— Mandi Feagans, Petition creator

What’s next

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is still working to determine the cause of Branson Oduor's death, which will help inform any future safety improvements around the Inner Harbor.

The takeaway

This tragic incident has highlighted the ongoing safety concerns around Baltimore's popular but dangerous waterfront, with residents calling for a comprehensive approach to improving conditions and preventing future accidental deaths. While officials caution against rushing to conclusions, there appears to be broad agreement that more can and should be done to protect the public.