Baltimore Violence Continues

But not to worry, it's just business as usual: About 40 people shot in city since April 27 riots

Ten shootings were reported Thursday across Baltimore, continuing a spate of gun violence that began after riots overtook West Baltimore on April 27. At least three of the victims died.

About 40 people have been shot since April 28, the day after Baltimore's most intense day of rioting.

Police said 82 people have been killed this year, 20 more than at the same time last year. Nonfatal shootings also have surged 47 percent, to 134 this year from 91 last year at this time.

And while it's probably too soon to say for sure, there is some suggestion that policing may be down in the city because the police fear official retribution:

Violence surges as Baltimore police officers feel hesitant

"In 29 years, I've gone through some bad times, but I've never seen it this bad," said Lt. Kenneth Butler, president of the Vanguard Justice Society, a group for black Baltimore police officers. Officers "feel as though the state's attorney will hang them out to dry."

Several officers said in interviews they are concerned crime could spike as officers are hesitant to do their jobs, and criminals sense opportunity. Butler, a shift commander in the Southern District, said his officers are expressing reluctance to go after crime.

"I'm hearing it from guys who were go-getters, who would go out here and get the guns and the bad guys and drugs. They're hands-off now," Butler said. "I've never seen so many dejected faces.

"Policing, as we once knew it, has changed."

A lose-lose situation for everyone in Baltimore.