Ian Wolfe
@ianmwolfe.bsky.social
Baltimore stuff, mostly. Greektown good
I planted this pepper cultivar ‘Armaggedon’ on a whim this year, thinking maybe I’d get one or two novelty peppers. But it did so well, I have dozens of these 1.3 million scoville things to deal with. I’ve nibbled off a couple of them and they’re hilarious hot. No idea what to do with them.
November 18, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I planted this pepper cultivar ‘Armaggedon’ on a whim this year, thinking maybe I’d get one or two novelty peppers. But it did so well, I have dozens of these 1.3 million scoville things to deal with. I’ve nibbled off a couple of them and they’re hilarious hot. No idea what to do with them.
This man’s out here playing the populist talking about Roland Park et al, while living in Wyndhurst.
November 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM
This man’s out here playing the populist talking about Roland Park et al, while living in Wyndhurst.
‘Truly disappointing’ to see @bmorerenters.bsky.social shut down comments on this post just because it was being pointed out that actual Affordable housing groups like Habitat for Humanity and Healthcare for the Homeless testified in support of these bills. It’s a matter of record - why hide it?
November 9, 2025 at 1:00 AM
‘Truly disappointing’ to see @bmorerenters.bsky.social shut down comments on this post just because it was being pointed out that actual Affordable housing groups like Habitat for Humanity and Healthcare for the Homeless testified in support of these bills. It’s a matter of record - why hide it?
Jermaine Jones explaining vote to abolish parking mins: "What I will say when protecting our neighborhoods against gentrification [...], they deserve more than just parking requirements to protect them.
And if that's the only thing that we have in order to protect those residents, then shame on us."
And if that's the only thing that we have in order to protect those residents, then shame on us."
October 28, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Jermaine Jones explaining vote to abolish parking mins: "What I will say when protecting our neighborhoods against gentrification [...], they deserve more than just parking requirements to protect them.
And if that's the only thing that we have in order to protect those residents, then shame on us."
And if that's the only thing that we have in order to protect those residents, then shame on us."
Yeah, the argument is not that auto theft is at an acceptable level by any means. We're still recovering from the actual spike two years ago when the Kia/Hyundai vulnerability turned joyriding into an activity anyone could do. But at the same time, the trend line is clearly now down, not up.
October 13, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Yeah, the argument is not that auto theft is at an acceptable level by any means. We're still recovering from the actual spike two years ago when the Kia/Hyundai vulnerability turned joyriding into an activity anyone could do. But at the same time, the trend line is clearly now down, not up.
The article grudgingly concedes that auto theft citywide is down 31% year to date.
What it fails to mention is that even the Citywide 7-day is down (-27%), as well as the 28-day (-29%). Some spike!
Oh and *every single* district is down by double digits for the year.
What it fails to mention is that even the Citywide 7-day is down (-27%), as well as the 28-day (-29%). Some spike!
Oh and *every single* district is down by double digits for the year.
October 13, 2025 at 2:12 AM
The article grudgingly concedes that auto theft citywide is down 31% year to date.
What it fails to mention is that even the Citywide 7-day is down (-27%), as well as the 28-day (-29%). Some spike!
Oh and *every single* district is down by double digits for the year.
What it fails to mention is that even the Citywide 7-day is down (-27%), as well as the 28-day (-29%). Some spike!
Oh and *every single* district is down by double digits for the year.
Then there's the cherry data district cherry picking.
In the same weekly report with these three "spikes," Southeast auto theft "spiked" down -22%.
Northeast -40%
Northern -25%
Western -57%
Southwest -64%
And last but not least, Southern district auto thefts "spiked" down -67%!
In the same weekly report with these three "spikes," Southeast auto theft "spiked" down -22%.
Northeast -40%
Northern -25%
Western -57%
Southwest -64%
And last but not least, Southern district auto thefts "spiked" down -67%!
October 13, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Then there's the cherry data district cherry picking.
In the same weekly report with these three "spikes," Southeast auto theft "spiked" down -22%.
Northeast -40%
Northern -25%
Western -57%
Southwest -64%
And last but not least, Southern district auto thefts "spiked" down -67%!
In the same weekly report with these three "spikes," Southeast auto theft "spiked" down -22%.
Northeast -40%
Northern -25%
Western -57%
Southwest -64%
And last but not least, Southern district auto thefts "spiked" down -67%!
Worst of the bunch, Northwest is up 62% (!).
From 9/28-10/4/24 there were 8 reported auto thefts in NW, and from 9/28-10/4/25 there were 13. That *is* 62%. It's also 5 incidents.
Oh and of course that district's 28 day is DOWN 18%. And year to date, Northwest has declined 16%.
From 9/28-10/4/24 there were 8 reported auto thefts in NW, and from 9/28-10/4/25 there were 13. That *is* 62%. It's also 5 incidents.
Oh and of course that district's 28 day is DOWN 18%. And year to date, Northwest has declined 16%.
October 13, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Worst of the bunch, Northwest is up 62% (!).
From 9/28-10/4/24 there were 8 reported auto thefts in NW, and from 9/28-10/4/25 there were 13. That *is* 62%. It's also 5 incidents.
Oh and of course that district's 28 day is DOWN 18%. And year to date, Northwest has declined 16%.
From 9/28-10/4/24 there were 8 reported auto thefts in NW, and from 9/28-10/4/25 there were 13. That *is* 62%. It's also 5 incidents.
Oh and of course that district's 28 day is DOWN 18%. And year to date, Northwest has declined 16%.
Then there's Central. Central is up 30% from the previous year's same week, which is an increase of three (3) incidents over the same week last year.
But Central is also flat (0%) in the 28-day period, and DOWN a full 38% (166 fewer incidents) year to date.
But Central is also flat (0%) in the 28-day period, and DOWN a full 38% (166 fewer incidents) year to date.
October 13, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Then there's Central. Central is up 30% from the previous year's same week, which is an increase of three (3) incidents over the same week last year.
But Central is also flat (0%) in the 28-day period, and DOWN a full 38% (166 fewer incidents) year to date.
But Central is also flat (0%) in the 28-day period, and DOWN a full 38% (166 fewer incidents) year to date.
To start, Eastern is up 12% on the 7-day! Do you know how many incidents this "spike" amounts to?
One reported auto theft: there were 8 in 2024, and 9 in 2025.
Meanwhile Eastern is DOWN 19% on the 28-day period and DOWN 29% year to date.
One reported auto theft: there were 8 in 2024, and 9 in 2025.
Meanwhile Eastern is DOWN 19% on the 28-day period and DOWN 29% year to date.
October 13, 2025 at 2:12 AM
To start, Eastern is up 12% on the 7-day! Do you know how many incidents this "spike" amounts to?
One reported auto theft: there were 8 in 2024, and 9 in 2025.
Meanwhile Eastern is DOWN 19% on the 28-day period and DOWN 29% year to date.
One reported auto theft: there were 8 in 2024, and 9 in 2025.
Meanwhile Eastern is DOWN 19% on the 28-day period and DOWN 29% year to date.
This Fox article today might belong in the hall of fame of bad faith use of statistics.
The headline cites a "spike in car thefts in some Baltimore districts" and the body goes on to point out some crazy increases: 62% in Northwest! 30% in Central! Sounds like a real City in Crisis, right? A 🧵:
The headline cites a "spike in car thefts in some Baltimore districts" and the body goes on to point out some crazy increases: 62% in Northwest! 30% in Central! Sounds like a real City in Crisis, right? A 🧵:
October 13, 2025 at 2:12 AM
This Fox article today might belong in the hall of fame of bad faith use of statistics.
The headline cites a "spike in car thefts in some Baltimore districts" and the body goes on to point out some crazy increases: 62% in Northwest! 30% in Central! Sounds like a real City in Crisis, right? A 🧵:
The headline cites a "spike in car thefts in some Baltimore districts" and the body goes on to point out some crazy increases: 62% in Northwest! 30% in Central! Sounds like a real City in Crisis, right? A 🧵:
Looking at the locations, it's driven by a small group of very large increases. Most are the sites of gas stations, including 4 RoFos, but Walgreens in Middle East and 7-Eleven at Canton Crossing by far lead the pack. These top 8 locations alone account for 276 extra incidents.
September 9, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Looking at the locations, it's driven by a small group of very large increases. Most are the sites of gas stations, including 4 RoFos, but Walgreens in Middle East and 7-Eleven at Canton Crossing by far lead the pack. These top 8 locations alone account for 276 extra incidents.
The much higher trend has been clear all year, and it's only in the last few months that they began to track closer. But compare Central District, which leads the city in total incidents, but has not seen a similar change. In fact, it's down 10% YOY.
September 9, 2025 at 5:43 PM
The much higher trend has been clear all year, and it's only in the last few months that they began to track closer. But compare Central District, which leads the city in total incidents, but has not seen a similar change. In fact, it's down 10% YOY.
Free story idea for someone to look into: what the heck is happening with shoplifting in Southeast District? It's had 262 extra reports, for a 72% increase YOY, way out of line with the other districts. SED alone tips the whole citywide stat into an increase (by 119 incidents).🧵
September 9, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Free story idea for someone to look into: what the heck is happening with shoplifting in Southeast District? It's had 262 extra reports, for a 72% increase YOY, way out of line with the other districts. SED alone tips the whole citywide stat into an increase (by 119 incidents).🧵
The third bill, scheduled for September 18th, is no less significant. It will permit the construction of apartment buildings up to six stories high using a single staircase. This makes it possible to build much more creatively, and densely, on small or awkward parcels.
September 8, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The third bill, scheduled for September 18th, is no less significant. It will permit the construction of apartment buildings up to six stories high using a single staircase. This makes it possible to build much more creatively, and densely, on small or awkward parcels.
The bills up in committee this week are big. 25-0064 increases the building space flexibility in all residential zones. 25-0065 eliminates ALL parking minimums citywide. Please, if you haven't yet, smash that link and tell the council: support these bills. secure.everyaction.com/81AL1uY6R0a7...
September 8, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The bills up in committee this week are big. 25-0064 increases the building space flexibility in all residential zones. 25-0065 eliminates ALL parking minimums citywide. Please, if you haven't yet, smash that link and tell the council: support these bills. secure.everyaction.com/81AL1uY6R0a7...
Yeah, it made sense to stage things over there, since the entire urbanized area essentially ended at Hampstead Hill, even 30+ years after the park was donated. You had nothing but space.
May 27, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Yeah, it made sense to stage things over there, since the entire urbanized area essentially ended at Hampstead Hill, even 30+ years after the park was donated. You had nothing but space.
Change at Perkins Homes, May 2021 to March 2025
May 27, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Change at Perkins Homes, May 2021 to March 2025
I was thrilled to see @electryandorsey.bsky.social cut to the point about the pernicious social function of restrictive housing laws, especially here in Baltimore
May 13, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I was thrilled to see @electryandorsey.bsky.social cut to the point about the pernicious social function of restrictive housing laws, especially here in Baltimore
It's often insisted that the city's improvement in homicides has only come at the expense of its neighbors in the metro area - that the violence has been displaced. Is there any truth to this? In a word: No.
May 3, 2025 at 11:49 AM
It's often insisted that the city's improvement in homicides has only come at the expense of its neighbors in the metro area - that the violence has been displaced. Is there any truth to this? In a word: No.
Homicides in Baltimore City in the first four months of this year have:
Declined over 32% from the same period last year.
Declined over 65% from their peak in 2022.
Declined over 32% from the same period last year.
Declined over 65% from their peak in 2022.
May 1, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Homicides in Baltimore City in the first four months of this year have:
Declined over 32% from the same period last year.
Declined over 65% from their peak in 2022.
Declined over 32% from the same period last year.
Declined over 65% from their peak in 2022.