Source: ABC
A source says that the city of Baltimore has hired some public relations help in the form of Judy Smith, the crisis management pro who inspired Scandal‘s Olivia Pope. CNN says Smith was in Baltimore on Friday. The nature of her work, however, is unclear.
Baltimore officials, from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, have been feeling the heat for their handling of the protests and subsequent riots that took place in the wake of the death of Freddie Gray. Yesterday, the Mayor lifted the curfew imposed on the city. She has apologized for the repeated use of the word “thug” when describing those who participated in violent protests in the city.
“We will get better, and we’ll do it as one Baltimore,” Mayor Rawlings-Blake said this weekend, taking a much more conciliatory tone.
Ultimately, it’s State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby who has come out of this situation with the favor of the people of Baltimore and the nation. Her strong statement on Friday while announcing the charges against the six police officers who arrested Freddie Gray has been hailed as the push in the direction of accountability for police officers who kill unarmed citizens in their custody.
No doubt, other Baltimore officials would like to rise to the same level of esteem after taking a battering.
Smith has worked with Paula Deen and Monica Lewinsky, among other high-profile clients.
