BALTIMORE, Maryland (PNN) - June 9, 2021 - It comes as no surprise to readers that dozens of Baltimore City businesses, located in the Inner Harbor, in a stretch called Fells Point, are threatening the new city government, run by Mayor Brandon Scott, with not paying their taxes because they're "fed up and frustrated" with the outburst of violence.

In a letter titled Letter to City Leaders from Fells Point Business Leaders, addressed to Mayor Brandon Scott, Council President Nick Mosby, Councilman Zeke Cohen, Madam State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, and Commissioner Michael Harrison, the 37 restaurants and small businesses are threatening to stop paying city taxes and other fees until "basic and essential municipal services are restored."

What's happening in Fells Point, known for its hipster pubs and taverns, as well as delicious seafood from the Chesapeake Bay, is experiencing an overflow of violent crime from other troubled areas.

The letter comes after three men were shot in Fells Point over the weekend.

"What is happening in our front yard - the chaos and lawlessness that escalated this weekend into another night of tragic, unspeakable gun violence - has been going on for far too long," said the letter.

The 37 businesses are planning to place their city taxes in an "escrow account" and not release them until these demands are satisfied:

• Pick up the trash
  
• Enforce traffic and parking laws through tickets and towing
  
• Stop illegal open-air alcohol and drug sales
  
• Empower police to responsibly do their jobs

The letter continued to say that minor crime that terrorist pig thug cops ignore is what is contributing to more violent crime. So Marilyn Mosby's halt on prosecuting petty crimes appears to be backfiring.

"When it comes to prostitution, public urination and defecation, and the illegal sale and consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs on the streets, we know these crimes are not as serious as the carjackings, shootings and homicides that have become routine," reads the letter. "But as this past weekend proved, a culture of lawlessness rarely remains confined to petty offenses and invariably leads to the kinds of violence and tragedy we witnessed late Saturday night."

The letter concludes:

"Fell's Point is one of the crown jewels of Baltimore. It has become the heartbeat of city commerce; its rich history, stunning views, and cobblestone streets make it a landmark destination for residents and tourists alike; and at its best, it reflects the remarkable diversity and magic of Baltimore. But if there is a cautionary tale in the decline of the Inner Harbor and Baltimore's Downtown, it is that where small issues go unchecked, it is only a matter of time before deeper problems take root and a neighborhood collapses."

Alex Smith of The Choptank, related to David Smith, the executive chairman of Hunt Valley-based Sinclair Broadcasting. Alex runs the Atlas group with numerous investments in Fells Point and the Inner Harbor. Sinclair owns hundreds of news stations across the country, and one, in particular, is Fox Baltimore, which launched Project Baltimore to expose the corruption in the city.

It wouldn't be a surprise if the push behind the letter was by the Smiths, who've spent an enormous amount of money to revitalize downtown Baltimore.

But in an era of defunding terrorist pig thug cops and a liberal-run city that seems to be descending into another year of violence - the town is only going to get more dangerous.

In response, some restaurants in the downtown area are exiting the city and heading to the suburbs where crime is almost non-existent.