Baltimore will have to pay for the destruction zones.
Via Baltimore Sun
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied a state request for disaster aid to cover the costs associated with the rioting and unrest that broke out in Baltimore after the death of Freddie Gray.
W. Craig Fugate, FEMA’s administrator, wrote in a June 12 letter to Gov. Larry Hogan that federal disaster aid was “not appropriate” for such an event.
“Therefore, I must inform you that your request for a major disaster declaration is denied,” Fugate wrote.
Spokeswoman Erin Montgomery said Friday that the Hogan administration “is reviewing FEMA’s response and will make a determination about the appropriate next steps, including a possible appeal.”
A disaster declaration would allow public agencies and residents affected by the unrest to seek reimbursement for related costs.
City officials have reserved $20 million to cover direct costs, including overtime for police and firefighters, damage to city-owned property and repaying other jurisdictions for police and other assistance.
Howard Libit, a spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, said Friday that the city is working on an appeal.
“We’re told we have 30 days to appeal,” he said. “We’re working with the federal delegation and Obama administration officials to assess what we might do to become eligible for reimbursement.”
Henry J. Raymond, Baltimore’s finance director, said in May that the city was covering the costs from its rainy-day fund but hoped for federal reimbursement of up to 75 percent of the costs.
HT: Guest