McDonough: Towson Does Not Have Mob Violence Problem

A brawl outside a Towson bar Sunday is not comparable to violence in the Inner Harbor, according to Del. Pat McDonough.

McDonough, a Middle River Republican, called the fight outside the Recher Theater that resulted in seven arrests "an anomaly" and not comparable to incidents in the city that he blamed on "black youth mobs."

"I believe what happened in Towson is an anomaly," McDonough said. "It's the result of poor planning and putting too many people in too small an area."

McDonough praised County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and Baltimore County police Chief Jim Johnson for acting quickly.

Kamentez blamed owners of the bar for the fight. The county executive and the police chief said most of the people involved in the fight came from outside the county.

"The county executive and the police chief quickly acknowledged there was an issue and they're working to make sure it never happens again," McDonough said. "This is not what the mayor did."

In May, McDonough issued statements sharply critical of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's handing of several incidents in the Inner Harbor area. McDonough blamed the violence on "black youth mobs" and accused Rawlings-Blake and state officials of covering it up.

He also said the Inner Harbor should be declared a "no travel zone."

Two weeks ago, Rawlings-Blake highlighted the safety of the area, according to the Baltimore Sun.