. >>> fred bealefeld said he is stepping down because he wanted to go out on top. after five years as the city's top cop, he is retiring effective august 1. he sat down with jayne miller, and she joins us live from police headquarters with what he said. >> we are accustomed to it fred bealefeld using tough language about bad guys. that this afternoon, as he discussed his decision to leave the job after all of these years with the city police, was all a much different side, an emotional side. some of our viewers a what is the real story? >> the real story is i am going to be 50 in august. i know people keep saying, my goodness, you are this young kid, but i have been doing this 31 years. i don't feel like a young kid. it has taken 31 years -- that is a long time to be doing this type of work. >> is your decision to leave entirely around? did somebody say it is time to go? >> i was absolutely influenced in this decision, mostly by linda and erica bealefeld. >> wife and daughter? >> yes. there are ready for me to come home, they are ready for me to do something else.

she joins us live now from city police headquarters. >> fred bealefeld characterized his decision to retire as personal. >> the realist story is i am going to be 50 in august. people say, you are just this young kid, but i have been doing this for 31 years. i don't feel like a young kid. >> it was all about family as fred bealefeld explained his decision to leave the job. he says he and his family are anxious for change. >> i was absolutely influenced in this decision. i was influenced in this decision mostly by linda and erica bealefeld. >> wife and daughter? >> yes, and they are ready for me to come home, they are ready for me to do something else. my son is a united states marine at pensacola naval air station, and i missed a big part of his life, so i am anxious. >> you are tearing up. >> it is real tough. >> is that because you were not doing this anymore? >> because i missed that. i did this -- they were along for the ride, but this really was my thing. this was my career, my pursuit, my love, 31 years. i asked them to do a lot. >> as commissioner, bealefeld presided over a sig

. >> fred bealefeld announces he is stepping down. he said another life is calling him. he will retire. jennifer franciotti is live with why he decided to call it quits. >> he has been the top cop since 2007. after 31 years, he says it is time to move on. in a statement, the mayor said bealefeld is retiring effective august 1. bealefeld said this was a tough decision but this is the right time for me to bring my career to a close. he says, i'm looking forward to enjoying retirement with my family and close friends. one is surprised by the announcement. >> i thought at least an externally in the crime fighting category that the police department was doing well. internally, they had their issues. it was becoming more and more difficult. >> the mayor issued a statement saying she is saddened by his decision but she respects it and a national search will begin immediately. reporting live, jennifer franciotti, wbal-tv 11 news. >> a woman remains in critical condition after a double shooting at a church. we have an exclusive look at the scene. sky team 11 was above st. peter's

fred bealefeld announces he is leading the job. pat warren with more on this still developing story. pat? >> that's right. this is one of the longest- serving police commissioners in recent history. commissioner fred bealefeld is probably also one of the most surprising announcements we've seen in quite a long time. rather than hold a joint news conference as you might expect, the commissioner and the mayor, both decided to issue statements in a single news release. >> in a ribbon statement, mayor rawlings-blake says, while i am saddened to see his retirement, i respect his decision to retire to spend more time with his family. i know he loved the job and was proud to serve with honest and integrity. >> in his written statement, commissioner bealefeld says this was a very tough decision for me and my family. but it's now the right time for me to bring my career with the baltimore police department to a close. i am very proud of the men and women of the bpd, for all that we have been able to accomplish together over the last five ye

. >>> after three decades of public service commissioner fred bealefeld is calling it a career. this caught some people off guard and sherrie johnon is herewith what's -- johnson here with what's next. >> reporter: we will hear from fred bealefeld about his decision to step down. he he has left quite a impact on the charm city going after criminals and determined to catch them. what he calls bad guys with guns maniacs and knuckle heads. according to city leaders he says wants a spend more time with his family. after 31 years as member of the baltimore police department and five years as commissioner, he says it's time to step down. he is one of the longest serving police commissioners in the recent history of the police department. he oversaw a steep decline in the murder rate but it left him exhausted by the pressures of the job. but a parade of departmental scandal come nated headlines and -- dominated headlines and overshadowed his efforts. an off-duty officer killed an unarmed marine during a bar fight and officer convicted dealing drugs from a police station park lot. beale

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. >> new details of the efforts to hire a replacement for fred bealefeld. >> police all looking for a suspect in two recent kidnappings and robberies. >> the economy may be the number one issue among voters, but the vote for president obama on same-sex marriage continues. >> skies are mostly clear. we'll talk about how that affects the temperatures at. >> we have a few accidents we are tracking. we will update you on them. another in towson. another in towson. >> live, local, late-breaking, this is wbal-tv 11 news today. >> good morning, everybody. welcome back to 11 news today. i'm stan stovall. >> and i'm mindy basara. thanks for joining us for 11 news today. it is nacional day what you want day -- it is national eat what you want day. >> the now like to talk with my mouth full. >> thank you a lot. >> this sounds wonderful. i love this day. 54 downtown. 46 into sykesville. a chilly start for today. we expect temperatures to be around 68 by landsdowne. high temperature around 72. -- 68 around lunchtime. i think chocolate cake. >> go for it. >> do i have crumbs on my face? a few probl

. >> another big story this afternoon, the police commissioner, fred bealefeld has announced that he is stepping down. after 31-years with the department, he says it is time to move on. he talked about the decision this morning on 98 barack. >> i want to go out on top, no mean -- knowing that we did great things. and i want to have some gas left for the next phase of my life. i'm going to be 50 in august. >> he said no one asked him to resign but officials in city hall asked him to reconsider. many said the announcement came as a surprise. baltimore county police are investigating a suspicious death in west baltimore. police responded around 7:30 p.m. thursday and found a body at the scene. no word on the victim's identity. an autopsy will determine the cause of death. two brothers were accused of assaulting an african american teenager. avi werdesheim was cleared of all charges, but his brother ely could be sentenced to 10 years in prison. >> we're happy that his brother was acquitted. we are happy that eli was acquitted of one of the counts. we will look forward to continuing his a

they have been down under the leadership of this marks police commissioner fred bealefeld.will his retirement mean. >>> with gas prices close to $4, we're looking for ways to save cash and scammers have come up with pan idea -- an idea but you may want to think twice before getting wrapped up in their game. here's diane sawyer. >>> coming up on world news a member of the super rich defends what's happening in this country, including the huge gap and who's getting the money. he said the system is working. >>> millions of us use prepaid debit cards each year and there are many different cards to select from. birles need to be -- buyers need to be aware. >> reporter: a prepaid debit card could be a good option for those who don't have a checking account and don't want to carry around cash, but there are fees and it pays to shop around. bank rate.com surveyed 18 of the most popular prepaid debit cards and found that monthly fees are the most common charge. 12 of the 18 had a monthly fee. activation fees are also common and can run up to $15. if you don't use it for a year or mo

will check the seven-day forecast in just a few minutes. >> police commissioner fred bealefeld announcese is retiring. >> jennifer franciotti has some reaction. >> commissioner bealefeld has been with the department for 31 years and spent the last five as the city's top cop but now he says the time to move on. he is known as baltimore's top cop and has a passionate way with words. >> bad guys with guns. >> the mayor described this as a retirement. bealefeld said, "this was a tough decision for me and my family, but this is the right time for me to bring my career with the baltimore police department to a close." he says, "i am looking forward to enjoying retirement with my family and close friends." the city's homicide numbers dropped during his tenure. baltimore had the fewest number of homicides in 2011 in 35 years. since 2007, overall gun crimes dropped. the news has not been all positive. bealefeld said he has made it his mission to rid corruption within the department. 17 police officers were charged in a kickback scandal. another officer was convicted of selling heroin while on dut

> he has been the street talking no-nonsense police commissioner for five years, but tonight, fred bealefeld iii says another life is calling him. he will retire to spend more time with his family. we have more on his pending departure. >> his career started as a cadet back in 1981. he served as the department's top cops in november of 2007. baltimore's top cop with a passionate way with words? " some knuckleheads firing indiscriminate shots. we will risk our lives to take these people off the streets. >> after 31 years with the baltimore city police department, fred bealefeld iii says he is stepping down. he said in a statement, this was a very tough decision for me and my family. it is the right time for me to bring my career to a close. he goes on to say, i am looking forward to enjoying in retirement with my family and close friends. >> he did the best to straighten out as much as they could. he helped the police, he helped the citizens. >> i liked his no-nonsense approach. >> the city's homicide numbers dropped during his tenure. baltimore had the fewest number of homicides in 2011 in 3

city cop, police commissioner fred bealefeld is reflecting on his career. brian kuebler sat down with him. >> reporter: the commissioner sat down with us this morning to explain why he made what he calls an incredibly hard decision. >> reporter: he knows it. he knows there will be rumors or whispers about his resignation, from political to angling for another job but commissioner bealefeld said he's tired. >> everybody's anticipating some big moment. it just won't come. maybe, maybe brian they'll say, maybe the guy was just showing up every day working his tail off trying to make a difference. >> the open air traffic is much reduced. >> reporter: that's all this baltimore cop wants and the statistics show he was. murder is down 43% since he took the post violent crime down 14%. most importantly he changed the police culture by changing community relations and having the force focus on the guns and the really bad guys that carry them, a general approach he warns can't change, not now. >> this would be a tragedy and a failure of policing for us to revert back

baltimore police commissioner fred bealefeld is opening up about his decision to retire. wjz is live at headquarters. the commissioner just finished speaking about his reasons for leaving. pat? >> reporter: that's right. commissioner bealefeld's announcement may come as a surprise to the city. but he tells wjz, he's turning 50 in august. and it's time for the next stage in his life. >> reporter: commissioner fred bealefeld commands the 8th largest police agency in the country. and he still does his policing on his feet. his dogged pursuit of knuckleheads and bad guys with guns has led to some of the lowest crime rates and violence in the city's history. >> i inherited a police department that was averaging 100,000 adult arrests. and we're make half that number and being much, much more successful. and that's not dependent on the weather. that's not signs of the zodiac or high tides at the harbor. that's a concerted, conscious effort, a very deliberate leadership change in what this police department was doing before i took over. and so, i will take credit for that. >> rep

with his eyes on retirement, police commissioner fred bealefeld is reflecting on his 31-year-old career. he stepped down on august 1. we spoke with him about the decision and the reasons for it. >> the real story is i'm going to be 50. i know people keep saying you are this young kid. but i have been doing this for 31 years. >> it was all about family as fred bealefeld explained his decision. he said he and his family are anxious for change. >> i was influenced in this decision mostly by linda and erica. >> your wife and daughter. >> yes. they are ready for me to come home. there are ready for me to do something else. my son is a marine. i missed a big part of his life. i am anxious. >> you are curing up. >> it is tough. family is tough. >> is that because you're not going to be doing this anymore? >> i missed that. i did this, they were along for the ride. you know, this was my thing, my career, and my pursuit, my love for 31 years. i asked them to do a lot. >> he presided over a significant drop in homicide the and also the dark side of policing. cases of corruption, scandal, and misc

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hear from fred bealefeld on why he is resigning. the story online and coming up on air. >> the ravens have not taken the field and already an scrry report for you this morning. what has happened to terrell suggs? it's spring and time for the festivals. the annual flower mart takes place in mount vernon this weekend. we will give you a preview and much more coming up on this friday may 4th of the megan is out on assignment and we will check in with her in a bit. but first a check of the forecast on the friday with lynette charles. >> good morning. good morning everyone. we are looking at some patchy fog this morning. we are -- we do have some reduced visibility. we can see zero. that's not looking good in baltimore this morning. take it easy on the roadways. we have about 5 mile reduced visibility in easton. one in york and 6 in hagerstown. so, the last time i showed you, it was better in baltimore but things are going downhill. that's the scenario through the rest of the morning. we look at maryland's most powerful radar and things

mike hellgren has ray look at fred bealefeld's successes and scandals. >>> in that interview, commissioner bealefeld said he had no plans to step down any time soon. this is a man who was passionate about the job. he spent his life in the bp and had several family members in the department. >> commissioner bealefeld has spent three decades. rising to top cop, he survived several scandals and several mayors. >> last december, i asked him whether he planned to step down. >> i heard people say, now is a good time, to leave on a high note. this is who i am. this is what i do. and i still love doing it. >> reporter: known for tough talk and focusing on the worst of the worst offenders, people he called knuckleheads and bad guys with guns, bealefeld earned credit for raising the rate dramatically. >> i have a lot things left in this police department. i love the men and women who work here. they're out there, every day, right now, while we're having this conversation. they're risking their lives for people they don't know. no one else does that. >> he dealt with corruption, too. personally takin

. >>> baltimore police commissioner fred bealefeld talks about his retirement. in a surprise move, the mayor announced that baltimore's top cop is calling it quits. pat warren talks to the commissioner about his reasons for leaving. pat? >> reporter: that's right. commissioner bealefeld says there is no drama in his decision to retire, other than the fact that he's turning 50 in august. and he's ready for the next phase of his life. >> reporter: commissioner fred bealefeld commands the 8th largest police agency in the country. and he still does his policing on the street. his dogged pursuit of bad guys with guns has led to some of the lowest violent crime rates in the recent city history. >> i inherited a police department that was averaging 100,000 adult arrests. and we are making half that number and being much, much more successful. and that's not dependent on the weather. that's not signs of the zodiac or high tides at the harbor. that's a concerted, conscious effort, a very deliberate leadership change in what this police department was doing before i took

fred bealefeld will be involved in the search for his replacement. the mayor says she would like to see a successor chosen prior to his departure. back to work for the jury deliberating the future of julius henson. he is accused of trying to suppress the african-american vote by issuing robocalls. >> finding a group to organize the baltimore grand prix. a new deal was announced on thursday led in part by michael andretti. the city will bring in more money than last year's event. >> it is an exceptional deal with a good promoter. you have a legitimate chance of success at this point. >> the city council must still sign off on the deal. >> a massive marijuana growing operation goes up in smoke. an anonymous tip led detectives to a basement with a found 341 marijuana plants worth more than five letter thousand dollars -- $500,000. manoj unni faces several counts. >> he had air filters, water pumping system, a ventilation system. this was a sophisticated grow operation. >> police contend manoj unni work there but left the department in 2005 and has been

i don't feel like a young kid. >> it was all about family as fred bealefeld explained his decision to leave the job. commissioner for the last five years, he said he and his family are anxious for change. >> i was absolutely influenced in this decision. i was influenced in this decision mostly by linda and erika bealefeld. mostly by those two. and they are ready for me to come home. they are ready for me to do something else. my son is a united states marine at pensacola naval air station. i missed a big part of his life, so i'm anxious. i'm anxious. >> it looks like you are tearing up. >> family is tough. family is really tough. >> do you tear up because you will not be doing this anymore? >> i tear up because i miss that. i did this. they were along for the ride. but, you know, this really was my thing, my career and my pursuit and my love for 31 years. i asked them to do a lot. >> as commissioner, bealefeld presided over a significant drop in the city's homicide. also the dark side of policing in baltimore. cases of corruption, scandal, and police misconduct. he named no names toda

baatimore police commissiiner fred bealefeld is llading the department for five years.as no news conference at olice headquaaters or city hall... just a statement from maaor stephanie rawwings-blake.. who says he commissioner wants to spend more time with his family.("jack" young) "i don't know what to make of it..." that's caught others at city hall.. by surpise.("jack"" young) "i can respect a man that wants to retire to penn time with his family. so, i'm juss shocced that he's leaving. cause, personally, we had a little rocky start, that stuff on the side and ve workkas professionals. and i think he did a great job.. bealefeld has been with thh department for 31 years. former mayor sheill dixon appoinned him commissiooer in 2007. at thh time, dixon and the new commissioner spoke of high hopee.(dixon) "we need stability inthe police department and i believe that's what we are going to get.."(bealefeld) "i really believe his city is poised for making some dramatic changes n public safety." serving commissioner in the city's recent history..who oversaw a major ddclinn i

police commissioner fred bealefeld will be stepping down.ry tough decision for him but he is looking forward to spending time with his family. for many friends and colleagues, the announcement came as a surprise. on may 16, william lori will become the 16th archbishop of baltimore. we got to know more about the 60-year-old who spoke about his commitment to the catholic church and what he sees as his mission as the next leader of the archdiocese of baltimore. gary sims with the story. >> the incoming archbishop's says he is excited and humbled because this is an historic and vital arched arses, one with challenges, needs and strength. -- archdioses. >> my desire is for unity in the church. >> as he prepares to become the new spiritual leader of the catholic church in baltimore, lori describes himself as a nice guy. the priesthood, preaching the gospel, saying mass, being with the sick. those are the things that bring me the greatest joy. those are the things i want to promote. >> after learning the pope chose him to become the 16th archbishop

in a statement ccomissioner fred bealefeld says.... wants to spend more time witt his famiiy.e'' the longest serving commissioner in tte city's reeent hhstorr. bealefeld is credited for a major decline in the city's murder rate. he also including the deeartment's deadly shooting of a fellow officer last year. his departure has caught city hall by surprise. (""ack" young) "i can respect a man that wantssto retire to spend timm with his family. so, i'm just shocked that he'ss leaving. cause, personally, we had a liitle rocky start, but as time goes on, you move thht stuff on the sideeand worr as professionals. andd job." bealefeld has been withhthe department for 31 sheila dixon appointed himm he'll step downnaagust first. is successor couud come from withhn the department, but the city will have nationwidd search. 3 raising income taxes will be theefocus of the speeial month.lawmakers are considering increasiig income taxes on individuals eerning a year....150--houuand for couples fillng jointly. reppblicans say that will kill &pphe middle class. (szeligaa "so ww would like to

fred bealefeld.../ is... tonight.../ he's... explaining why.... going.e commissioner... spoke.../ candidly.../ wwth us.../ about... his departure../ keith. the commissioner is retiring.. .......and bottome linee tonight, he says e wants to he says it's been a good - rrde.... but it's time now to focus on the next phase offhis . life. bealefeld will be 50 in august... still ime, perhaps says he hassno plans yet for futureeemployment. mayor stephanieerawlings-bllke pssued a statement yesterday, ssying bealefeld... whh's been with the department for 31 years.. will step down august 1st. he spent 5 years as commissioner... and now the sudddn announcement f his &pmore time with family.... -- which for some, bbgs the puestion was it his decision &pto leave. leave. incue: but the mayoroutcue: i pave no re4grets trt 17 3 &p the commissioner has agreed to work on a transition plan. his uccessor couud come frrm the departmenn.. but the mayor says there will be aa nationwiie search for a neww commissioner. llve at city policc headquarters, keith daniils, fox 45 new

. >> fred bealefeld will retire in august. revealing in a statement, this was a tough decision for me and my family but now is the right time to bring my career to a close. he spent most of his life working on the force, the last 4.5 years at the top. >> she's such a special person. he's going to be missed. when i choose him i knew he was the right person for the job. >> he told us just months ago he had no plans to leave. >> this is who i am. this is what i do. i still love doing it. >> mayor rawlings blake said he's been an effective leader we will miss. he's seen success under his watch. the murder rate is down. the department has been hit with several high profile corruption scandals. >> there were challenges for him. i think he was a good public servant. >> i hate to see him go. he's a real pillar in this community, kind of holding us up. >> the nationwide search for a new commissioner will begin immediately. >> the mayor's office says bealefeld will assist the next commission with their transaction. >>> today the april u

do you think fred bealefeld hhs been an effective police commissioner?? go to fox-baltimooe dot com and tell uu what you think. you can allo sound off through facebook. send us tweet.. at foxbaltimore. and you can text your answer to 45203. enter fox45a for yes.. or fox45b for no. a split verdict in the case against tto brothers accused of assaulting a black teen. this neighborhood watch trial drew comparisons to he case of georre zimmerman and trayvon martin. martinn while the judge leared the younngst werdesheim brother, she found eli werdesheii guilty of assault and false imprisonment.thh judge said eli and other membbrs of a peighborhood watch group went too far when they confronted the een.baltimore ity states attorneyygregg bernstein had this to say foolowinn the verdict. patch groupss... oq: not d agaanst them." eli faces a possible ten years on assault alone.he'll be scheduled in june. a convenient store owner.... &pfires ack... at a would-be baltimore.melinda rreder is live now... with more on the foiled crime... and howwthe suspect ended up gett

fred bealefeld on why he's calling its quitstonight on fox 45 3 3 baltimore.s.u.v. flips five times. >> it is really horrific. >> gordon: and then hits a truck. >> t

. >>> at the end of the day, commissioner fred bealefeld just want people in the baltimore area to know he worked his tail off every day he came to work. he is hanging up his badge but not before talking to our own brian kuebler. >> reporter: in a town this size, the city knows there will be whys pers but he -- whispers. the city has seen historic lows in crime. bealefeld credits that with changing the culture, going after the bad guys with gun many. he also tried to improve community relations. he is proud about how he and his force were able to accomplish the recent goals and said every day he went to work, it was about the people he served. >> there was a lot of consternation about my colorful language, calling people knuckleheads, morons and idiots. i've always felt like i was speaking for other people and i tried to use this position to advocate for the people of this city. >> reporter: now mayor stephanie rawlings-blake says she respects bealefeld's decision and said that hey has made a great impact on this city. >> it was tough decision for him to maifnlgt i have to respect he wa

. >>> well it has been a new games since the anounsment of police commissioner fred bealefeld but some hope it doesn't get undone by a new boss. brian kuebler has more. >> reporter: targeting violent offenders helped drop crime. it's progress some experts say is fragile enough to break and they hope the mayor's new pick continues the same type of fight. while a new boss will probably tweak it, overall, it's the right blueprint for baltimore. >> i've got to think that, you know, some of the essence of that approach will be sustained even though you have different individuals coming into play. they're going top understand what's been working. >> now coming up at 6:00 we'll hear what city hall had to say as well as residents. brian kuebler, abc 2 news. >> a man from rockville was taken captive and now he said it's up to the president whether he lives or dies. >> my life is in your hands, mr. president. >> reporter: that is 70-year-old warren weinstein, making an emotional plea direct to president obama. it's the first time he has been seen since last august when he was lab ducted at gun -

mayor stephanie rawlings-blake and police commissioner fred bealefeld were will to see the fin nshing touches -- finishing touches. >> partnering with them to provide the security and presence needed so the individuals can feel self-coming into this commercial corridor, not only to shop but to attract new businesses to the area. >> in 2011 the city watch program led to more than 1200 arrests. 144 were violent crimes, including robbery and assault. >>> with the job market still struggling to recover many workers are thinking about going back to school. while that may seem like an expensive decision, there are tips to help reduce that cost. >> reporter: going back to school could be cheaper than you think. there are ways to make self-ing -- saving for college easier. first, you can search for thousands of free classes on line through an open course consortium. you just type in what you're looking for like history or engineer and the site will give you links to hundreds of classes. if you want recommendations on which might be best for you check out education-portal.com. there's advice a

. >> after five years leading the department, baltimore city police commissioner fred bealefeld is stepping down. >> a foggy day to the start and then rain. wyatt everhart will have the forecast in a few minutes. >>> first, we begin with breaking news. an adult has been arrested in qex with a prekindergarten -- connection with a prekindergarten student who

yesterday the mayor announced that fred bealefeld is calling it quits. this morning pat warren is live. >> reporter: the commissioner fred bealefeld commands the eighth largest police station in the country and does on his feet. he is in pursuit of people with guns has led to the lowest rates in the city in recent history. >> i inherited a police department that was averaging 100,000 adult arrests and we're making half that number in being much, much more successful. that's not dependent on the weather. that's not signs of the zodiac or high tides that the harbor. that is a converted conscious effort, a very deliberate leadership change in what this police department was doing before i took over. so, i will take credit for that. >> reporter: he also believes in community contact, like pitching 20s with scouts and greeting citizens where they live. he told everyone he would cast a net for good cops. >> everyone is surprised, oh, my goodness, there is corruption in the ranks. i told you i was going crabbing. no you are surprised. >> reporter: his biggest r

fred bealefeld on why he's calling its quitstonight on fox 45 3 3 3&

using a panel of experts and an outside firm to hire a replacement for outgoing commissioner fred bealefeld. he made an announcement this month saying he would like to spend more time with this family. -- with his family. he will be involved in the search for the person who best fits the position. mayor stephanie rawlings-blake expressed confidence today that plan. >> this is a search in earnest. we're looking interleague and an externally. i'm looking for taking advantage -- internally and an externally. i'm looking forward to taking advantage of what we can do with this position. >> the mayor said she would like to see a replacement chosen prior to bealefeld's departure, which is slated for august. he held the position as top cop for five years. >> jury deliberations have ended for the day against julius henson, a man accused of using robo calls to suppress the black voter turnout in the previous election. >> in the first robo call case in december involving ehrlich campaign manager paul schurick, the jury deliberated about four hours. not this time around jurors in this case deliberated

. >> reporter: the dust is still settling from last book's abrupt announcement of fred bealefeld's rest sig naismghts two figure heads who were architects in the crime fight huge baltimore had one of the bad wraps and and to have someone who has done such a phenomenal job would raise considerable concern. >> reporter: the fragile success of five years of decreasing crime and homicide could easily become undone with a new commissioner and a new way of doping things-- doing things. a spokesperson for the mayor told us today not to focus so much on the man but the commitment to public safety this mayor has made since she took office. citing that in three straight years of budget cuts the police department went largely unscathed, but isn't just the amount of resources but how it chooses to use them. >> i'd like to think they will at least continue to focus on violent offenders, keeping guns away from those individuals. it's working. >> reporter: professor daniel webster is the codirector for the center of gun policy and research. he was a researcher to the commission. given the drop in viol

baltimooe police commissioner fred bealefeld is speakiig out. he's retiring and tonight he's going. keith daniels,.../ live... at.../ &pcity... police headquarters../ ááwhheeáá the commisssoner .../ talked... to s.../ about.../ his... keith. jeff..... the commissioner is retiring.. .......and bbttome line tonight, he says he wants to leave whileehe's on ttp. he ays it's been a good ride.... but it'sstime now to liff. beaaefeld will be 50 in auguss... ssill time, perhaps for another career.. but he says he has no plans yet for future employment. mayor stephanie rawlings-blake issuee a tatemmnt yesttrday, saying bealefeld... who's been with the ddpartment for 31 years.. will step down august 1st. he spent 5 years as commissioner... and now the sudden announcement of his depa. departtre... incue: don't haveoutcue: the job done done 3 trt 26 the commissioner has agreed to work on a ransition plaa. his suucessor could come froo tte department.. but the mayor says there illlbe a nationwide search for new 5-33. olice headquarters, - mayor stephanne rawllngs blake will now have to build a n

. >>> the police commissioner going, fred bealefeld will retire on august 1st. he has been a city police officer for 31 years. the oh oh facial -- official statement says he wants to spend more times with his loved ones. >>> u.s. employers aren't hiring as quickly and the market remains weak. >> the job market remains weak. the lay bor department says only 115,000 jobs were added in april. hiring has slowed down in the last 2 months. more americans have given up their job search. with less people looking for work, the unemployment rate fell from 8.2 to 8.1%. republican candidate mitt romney says president obama's policies are to blame for the highering low down. he asked the president where are the jobs? >> he'll all sorts of things he'll talk about that have resulted in the fact that a guy that promised would keep the unemployment under 8% has not been under 8% since. >> economiests believe the job market will improve. >> leading eing -- economists believe the unemployment rate will drop under 8% by november. >> i was so excited. i'm still still excited. >> unl

. >> commissioner fred bealefeld is stepping down.sits down with brian kuebler to explain why. >>> kids are kept home from school after the body of a teenager is found behind the building. >>> an early morning crash in baltimore county leaves two men dead. what police believe happened in the moments leading up to the crash. taking a look at harbor cam. we started off the day with fog. it has been replaced by rain in some spots. abc2 is working for you with breaking news. a prekindergarten student was found with a gun at school. the school district sent home a letter to parents of northwood hills. police found the weapon and an adult has been arrested. we begin with continuing coverage. after five years leading the department and 31 years as

fred bealefeld on why he's calling its quitstonight on fox 45 3 &p wilkens greenspping map 3 a ruesomeiscovery inside an ellicott ciiy church... two wooan were found shot ... one fights for hhr life... &pwe're also leerning ore aboutta third person found giililand is hereewith more on good mooning patrice,this is st. eter's church in ellicott city... it was here that a janitor waa working earry yesterday evening... when he found two women lying on the floor inside an office... both of them shot. one woman was pronounced dead at the scene... the other was plown to shock trauma fr emergency surgeey... at last cheek she was in critical ponditiin.shortly after the women were discovered... police found the body offa man in the woods near the church... with a gunshot wound... and he weapon nearby. investigatorr beeieve hhs wounds were self inflicted and that the shootings are relattd. 1:03:53 we are looking inno man located ii tte oods waa in some way -3th bc it's a safe area my 3 outsidedetectives doo't shooting.but there are still quessions as o why these ladies were... whetherrtheyy wwrre

. >>> later we will hear from the baltimore city police commissioner fred bealefeld about his decision to step down. he left an impact on crime city going after criminals and determined to catch the bad guy was guns according to city leaders. he says he wants to spend more time with his family. he will officially retire august 1st and coming up at 5:30, we will have more about his long career as a member of the police department. >>> today we will honor our fallen heros who died in the line of duty. linda so is live this morning at dulaney valley memorial gardens to tell us what will be happening. linda. >> reporter: charley, it's the 27th annual fallen heros day to honor those who died in the line of duty. jack mitchel is here who runs things here. this kicks off at one this afternoon. >> yes. that's correct. that's when the ceremony will get underway. >> reporter: and i understand there's going to be a procession sm. >> yes. that's correct. there will be police officers and firefighters from many precincts all over the state of maryland here today. >> reporter: and what is the ceremo

. >>> today we will hear from the baltimore city police commissioner fred bealefeld about his decision to step down. he has been the commissioner for five years and yesterday he announced his decision to retire. according to city leaders, he says he wants to spend more time with his family and will officially retire august 1st a nationwide search is underway for his replacement. >>> the president, vice president and members of the cabinet are talking about a renewed campaign to extend lower interest rates for students loans at least for another year. president obama will speak at the northern verge high school later today -- verge high school later today. the -- virginia high school later today. republicans want to pay more with health care spending cuts. democrats by increasing the tax revenue a vote is scheduled for the sen isate and that's going to take place on tuesday. >>> it's 4:35 and they were competing for the same jobs being the republican nominee for the presidential election. coming up a. preview of the meeting where they will be meeting and what's expected to be talked abo

. >>> today baltimore county police commissioner fred bealefeld will talk about the decision to retire e left a impact on charm city going after criminals and being determined to catch the bad guys with guns and according to city leaders, he says that he wants to spend more time with his family. he will officially retire august 1st. there's a nationwide search underway looking for his replacement. >>> they put their lives on the line every day protecting us and today we will honor fallen heros who paid the ultimate sackry fight in the line of duty -- sacrifice in the line of duty. we have a check of what's happening today honoring the fallen police officer. linda. >> reporter: it's the 27th annual fallen heros day here at due lanny valley me -- dulaney valley memorial gardens. it's a beautiful memorial. and joining us is trooper gibson. he lost a dear friend, the trooper who will be honored today shaft hunter. you worked with him. can you tell us about your friend. he was dead dated and loved had- - dedicated and loved his job. what do you want people to know about him. >> a courageous

baltimore - keith. pennifer...ann jeff mayor steehanie rawlingg blake aad police commissioner fred bealefeld have caaled tte inner harbor one of the saffst areas in he cctt..... &p...........and tonight.. itt appears all is quiet. believes itts an unsafe placee. and he's told the governor who he believes is responsible for all the trouble. troubll. 3 maryylad statt deleeatt &ppat mcdonough is standing by his comments made in a lltter to governor o'mallly about inner harbor... tteeheart of - baltimore tourism. ....it's mcdonough's headline oo that reection.(mcdonougg) "i don't see anythhng wwong with it.." youth mmbs terrrrize lack - &ppaltimoree..."(mcdonough) "i was going to uss the eadline but i onnt think thht would be accurate. i believe in puiteefrankly, that's exactly critics , including mcddnough's colleage, dee. keifferrmitchell, call the messaae..a ttrowback to tte racial unrest of the 50's and 60's.((itchell) "it's a cheap waa to score poliiical poontss and basscally it was race baiting. it was irrelevant to say thht it's a black mob or whiteemob, that's irrellvant." mcddnough ccll

. >> fred bealefeld iii was never afraid to hold back his opinions.y straight forward. >> a lot of people dead.

from he cream of he crop innher seaach for baltimorees next poliiee & coomissiooer. pcomisssonnr fred bealefeldeplacement. 3 "i want to insuue eveeyonne ....naaioonll 3 pearch firms....internally andd exttrnallly" & the mayor also sayss commissioner bealeffld is pommitted o a smooth transition. 3 crowds... gaaher for.../ aa... death pct..../all to mark the ppening of the ripley's believe it or nottmuueum in baaltmoree.... people were mesmerized todayyas nik wallenda family walks the high ttere ann says.....many wondered f he ould makee t..... it..... here wwre ssakeyy tiies.....buttwallenda wentt pavillloon.....to a aage ii the middleeof the inner harboo -& in aboot 10 minntes.... minutes.... & 3&p(nats)balttmore'ssinner &phaabor....(13:33) ronnie)how very cool o see sommbody do someehing like thatt...turns into a backddop......for a deathhdefying act..... 3 walled to a barge a movvig anchor n the middle of the water......ii pallenda......ccooses tth bite) (ronnie)watching hhim walk the tiggtropee as amazing -33 causs i nevee ssa nobodd get & that higgt nnar a harbor..... all on a wire..... (43

and stephanie rawlings-blake says she is confident she will replace outgoing commissioner fred bealefeld. it is part of a search made up of law enforcement and legal experts. he announced his retirement thing he wanted to spend more time with his family. the candidates will be part of his -- the candidates search will be part of the national role. it will be selected august 1. >> it is a breezy and cool day today, but relatively quiet. just a few, scattered clouds out there right now. 67 degrees at the airport. i was around 68. the average high is 72. northwest winds gusting to 18- 25. after sunset, the breeze will die down and it will be chilly. tomorrow morning, skies will be clear, but in the lower 40's. >> it will be warmer over the weekend. >> will day marriage become an -- a major issue in the race for the white house? that is still clear -- that will gay marriage become a major issue in the race for the white house? that is still unclear. steve handelsman have the latest. >> barack obama is headed to the west coast for three fund- raisers, one hosted by actor george clooney, where

commissioner fred bealefeld was at shirley's when he observed two officers drinking alcohol.their gunsor badges displayed. >>> a ceremony will be held to honor those who have given their lives in service to this country. the tribute is open to the public and is sedded to begin in -- scheduled to begin in an hour. seven flames of maryland servicemen and women lost this past year will be added to the circle there. >>> am track trains are rolling again. service was stopped between washington and philadelphia yesterday when crews repaired wires just north of here. it stopped the drains for 3 hour -- trains for 3 hours yesterday afternoon. >>> stay with wjz 13, maryland's news station. complete news and weather today at noon. updates available at wjz.com. ,,,,,,,,,, you know what, this looks just like the tree house i built with my dad. (girl) really? yeah. there you go. okay, i'm gonna work on the roof. dad, i'll be right back! (announcer) it's more than just that great peanut taste, choosing jif is a simple way to show someone how much you care. you made that for me? well you're

mcdonough says the mayor is pressuring the resignation of police commissioner fred bealfield bealefeldhe mayor refused to comment on the black mob comment and her spokespeople said it's disrespectful to the police department and the efforts to lower crime. head to our wmar facebook fan page and tell us what you think about his comments. >>> a superintendent of the baltimore county schools wants to set the record vat about class sizes. dr -- record straight about class sizes. says there's been misinformation about classes being too big and will speak at the greenwood administrative campus which is in towson at 6. >>> a push to reduce the number of distraction while driving and crashes that follow involving young people. safety advocates will speak about the dangers of texting while behind the wheel. also simulator -- a simulator will be set up during the high school lacrosse finals. so kids can see how bad it can be be. >>> later this morning, the governor will sign dozens of bills into law and this is going to happen at 10:30 on the second floor of the statehouse in annapolis. bills in