Fells Point business owners disappointed after town hall

BALTIMORE, MD. (WBFF)- Baltimore city officials outline a new safety plan for Fells Point during a town hall Thursday night, but some business owners are underwhelmed.

Safety in Fells Point has been a major concern after three people were shot and fights broke out in the area last weekend.

READ| Councilman questioned about crime fighting equity in wake of Fells Point outrage

The city's top official, Mayor Brandon Scott, was absent from the town hall--despite promoting the town hall Wednesday night in a tweet, writing: "we want to hear from you" and "hope to see you."

At one point there were more than 500 people in that virtual meeting and the number continued to grow. But the meeting was short, only lasting about 50 minutes.

The only voices heard were Deputy Mayor Sunny Schnitzer and other city leaders, including police commissioner Michael Harrison.

They answered a couple of questions from the "chat."

Harrison did present the department's deployment plan for Fells Point this weekend, which includes 9 additional BPD officers.

READ| Mayor a no-show at town hall on crime in Fells Point

"We have officers who will be working overtime to add to that supplement that we're bringing from the southeast district who will be doing foot patrols who will have static positions. They'll be doing business checks right there in the square and ride around the total Fells Point area," said Harrison.

Fox45 wanted to know why the mayor was not at the meeting. We got a response from his office late Thursday night.

It reads: "The mayor was at a previously scheduled community meeting. This town hall, requested by the 46th district delegation and councilmember (Zeke) Cohen, was an opportunity for deputy mayors and agency heads to address concerns and present a plan forward to the community.