BALTIMORE — The murder of Y coach Jordan Taylor has stirred a long talked about, sensitive debate.
On Monday the Y of Central Maryland CEO, John Hoey, penned a scathing Op-Ed criticizing City leaders and their response to the spike in crime.
"Other cities have successfully reduced their violent crime rate significantly, but in Baltimore we have had not just a crisis of confidence but, in my view, a crisis of leadership," Hoey wrote.
Following a Wednesday Board of Estimates meeting, Baltimore Mayor Jack Young disagreed that the problem was leadership.
"There's not any lack of leadership on my part, I've been moving the City forward, and I don't know, he never called me, because you know I'm not committing the murders. That's what people need to understand, I'm not committing the murders, the police commissioner is not committing it, the council isn't committing it. So how can you fault leadership? This has been five years of 300 plus murders, and I don't see it as a lack of leadership, so I beg to differ with him," said Young.
.@mayorbcyoung responds to a critical OpEd penned by frustrated + heart-broken CEO of @YCentralMD after murder of Jordan Taylor, a long-time coach/mentor. The #Baltimore mayor says the murders are not a lack of leadership on his part. “I’m not committing the murders.” @WMAR2News pic.twitter.com/EoTYqWNeXK
— Brian Kuebler (@BrianKuebler_) November 13, 2019
Mayoral candidate and former federal and city prosecutor Thiru Vignarajah responded to the Mayor's statement today, calling it the most "insulting and tone-deaf thing he has said".
His full statement can be read below:
“From relying on boxing rings and cold weather, the mayor has said some ridiculous things about crime. But this may be the most insulting and tone-deaf thing he has said. Is he really confused why people look to the mayor for leadership on crime? If he thinks it's not just his job to end the bloodshed, he should hand over the reins to someone who realizes it is.”
Jordan Taylor was shot and killed the night of November 5, after two men broke into his home on Clifton Avenue.
RELATED: YMCA coach, mentor murdered in Baltimore home invasion
"Our home is supposed to be our sanctuary; the place where we can feel comfort, safety, and recharge our batteries before heading back out into a hectic world," Hoey said.
In a Facebook post, Taylor's mother said that he died protecting his wife in what she called an act of pure evil.
Prior to his murder, Taylor spent 10 years working with children at the Y in Catonsville, as Sports and Teen Director.
"So many of the people we serve are doing their absolute best to live productive lives in neighborhoods that are incredibly violent and dangerous. They are being traumatized daily, and are largely and disproportionately the victims of the violence. They are the ones who most deserve answers and far more serious action than we have yet seen by our local elected officials," Hoey continued.
READ MORE: 'I loved Coach Taylor' Children and parents remember man killed in home invasion
Hoey closed his Op-Ed with a plea for elected officials, to step up in the fight to end the bloodshed.
"This is a plea to those in elected office, and those who seek to be, to acknowledge the crisis we are in and to focus on it like your hair's on fire, because our city is, essentially on fire. They owe it to Jordan Taylor, his family and friends, and the thousands of others who are left to live on in the face of heartache and loss. The city and this region need more Jordan Taylors, not fewer."
ATF Baltimore is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.
On Wednesday, from 4 to 7 p.m. Taylor's family will hold visitation at Candle Light Funeral Home by Craig Witzke at 1835 Frederick Road in Catonsville.
The following day at 10 a.m. funeral services will be held at St. John's Grace United Church of Christ located at 1000 S Rolling Rd.
Anyone with information on Taylor's murder is asked to call 888-ATF-TIPS.
