City focuses resources on Oliver neighborhood

A new push is underway to clean up a tough section of East Baltimore.

There are long-running problems with poverty, addiction and violence in the Oliver neighborhood.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has ordered a massive, one-week infusion of resources.

Andrea Carter has lived here for three years -- she had high hopes for the week.

“Cleaning up the homes, the abandoned homes, getting rid of the infestation of rats,” she said.

On a visit to the neighborhood Thursday, the corners were quiet and clean.

Police have increased patrols day and night, health officers have been going door-to-door attempting to connect drug users with treatment facilities, even the state's attorney's office focused its efforts on Oliver.

“What we're doing to try to support the mayor is to designate and devote particular state's attorneys to prosecute cases that come out of this area,” said Gregg Bernstein, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney.

City officials set up a tent on North Bond Street to coordinate all the resources;

People who live here have noticed the difference.

“A lot of cleaning up, just a lot of cleaning up. Just a lot of coming and going, a lot of police,” said Oliver resident Daphne Green.

Mayor Rawlings-Blake said Oliver was chosen because of its long-standing problems with drugs and violence, but also because it has strong community organizations in place; ready to help the city.

“We want to make sure that we are supporting this community and the work that they are doing to rebuild,” she said.

And after this week the mayor says some resources will remain in place, and if the program is successful in Oliver it will be used in other neighborhoods around Baltimore City.

“We just have to stick with it and work hard to maintain that, to improve.  I know it's going to work,” Carter said.