. >> reporter: this week, pinket- smith wrote a letter to baltimore mayor stephanie rawlings-blake stawg about the circus coming to baltimore this month. she said, as a baltimore native and mother, i'm writing about the ringling brothers circus act coming to baltimore. unlike me and other actors, elephants do not choose to perform. they are often harmed. she reminded the bayor of an ordinance not to use things that cause injury. >> reporter: but the mayor is clearly not starstruck and point out pinket-smith has ignored other issues. >> we have reached out about homelessness. i would have loved to get feedback on those issues that are pressing to the city. >> reporter: as for the circus -- >> i appreciate that they continue to come to baltimore. i have enjoyed circus since i was a child. i take my daughter. >> reporter: they exceed all federal standards set by the usda under the animal welfare fact act, according to the ringling brothers. >> reporter: they will be in town march 21st through april 1st. >>> the long-time director of the walters art museum is stepping down. gary viconannounc

and says pinket smith has not reached out. >> we have reached out about homelessness. i would have loved to have gotten some feedback from those issues. >> as for the circus. >> i appreciate that they come to the city. i have enjoyed the circus in march since i was a child. i take my daughter. >> reporter: ringling brothers insists that in all aspects of animal care and safety, they exceed all standards set by the u.s. >>> ringling brothers will be in town march 21st through april 1st. >>> straight ahead on wjz eyewitness news at 4:00. state of emergency. down under. the latest on devastating floods in australia. >>> today, we're announcing the new ipad. and it is amazing. >>> new details about the next generation ipad. what are the new features? >>> and it's a warm, sunny afternoon. very unusual for march. stick around for bob's updated first warning forecast coming up. [ male announcer ] for the saver, and a big first step. for the spender who needs a little help saving. for adding "& sons." for the dreamer, planning an early escape. for the mother of the bride. for

. >> reporter: this week, pinket smith wrote to stephanie rawlings-blake about the circus coming to baltimore this month. it says, as i baltimore native and mother, i am writing about the ringling brothers coming. unlike me and other actors, elephants do not choose to perform. they are often hurt with bull hooks. pinket smith reminds the law of no electrical or mechanical device that is likely to cause harm or destruction. >> we've reached on ofed out about homelessness, school issues. i would have loved to have gotten some feedback and some support or concern about those issues that are very pressing to the city. >> reporter: as for the circus -- >> i appreciate the fact that they continue to come to baltimore. i've enjoyed the circus in march since i was a child. i take my daughter. >> reporter: ringling brothers has fought animal rights groups for decades and insist in all aspects of animal care and safety, they exceed all standards set by the u.s. da set by the animal welfare act. >>> ringling brothers will be in town from march 21st through april 1st. >>> if you're waiting for someone to

. >> reporter: the circus controversy made news earlier this month, when local actress jada pinket smith wrote a letter to baltimore's mayor, urging her to protect the elfantsz. know oar -- elephant. unlike me and other actors, elephants do not agree to perform. the mayor rebuked the actress's efforts, wishing instead that she would offer support for other pressing issues. >> i'm a fan of the circus. >> reporter: ringling brothers says they exceed all of the standards set by the usda under the animal welfare act. >> reporter: while the circus is in town, peta is looking for whistle blowers, offering a $5,000 reward to anyone if they see cruelty to animals. >> the only way to get wild animals to perform is by using violence and intimidation. >> reporter: arena workers have recorded video behind the sceerns that has resulted in stiff fines against ringling brothers. >>> a baltimore raven will join the fight against hunger in east africa. anquan boldin plans to travel. the four-day trip begins march 27th. in november, boldin released a public service statement, about the growing need for re