Ep 16. Charm City

Charm City is the 16th episode of season 20 of Independent Lens. This gripping documentary takes viewers to Baltimore, Maryland, a city that has been dubbed charm city by those who know it best. But behind the beautiful nicknames and jingles lies a city that is plagued with violence, poverty, and inequality. Charm City is a raw look at what life is like for those living in one of the most deprived neighborhoods in Baltimore.

Viewers come to understand Baltimore's crime rate and the impact that it has on its residents. The city is known for its violent crime, and viewers will be poignant to the ways in which the locals cope with the trauma that follows. The documentary follows the lives of individuals affected by the violence, capturing the stories of both survivors and victims, and the cops who battle to keep its residents safe. Through their stories, we come to understand the struggles and challenges facing those in the community on a daily basis.

It is evident that the city's government cannot tackle the violence and poverty on its own and has instead turned to the residents for help. Baltimore has one of the most robust neighborhood watch programs in the US, where volunteers patrol their streets, reporting any suspicious activity. Charm City gives us a glimpse into this program, meeting some of the people that are giving their time and effort to keep their neighborhoods safe.

One of the key characters in Charm City is Alex Long, a young man living in one of the most deprived areas in Baltimore. Through Alex's story, we get a sense of the insurmountable challenges that many in the city face, such as poverty, drugs, and violence. Alex is motivated to create a change and spends his time organizing community meetings and speaking to the police, in hopes of creating better relations between law enforcement and the community.

Additionally, the documentary reveals how the police are affected by Baltimore's crime rate. In most American cities, the way the police deal with crime is by increasing their troop sizes; however, to tackle Baltimore's crime, the city's police department has taken a different approach. They have sought to get closer to the community, creating relationships, and understanding their day-to-day struggles better. Charm City provides us with insight and perspective on these challenges and the strategies of police officers in addressing them.

Overall, Charm City is an eye-opening documentary that gives viewers a raw and unfiltered look at what life is like for residents living in one of America's most deprived areas. It shows the viewers the challenges facing the people of Baltimore, from dysfunctional families, the effects of drugs and poverty, to the harassment of police and the daily fear of violence. Charm City is both heartbreaking and inspiring, giving us a nuanced perspective on the city and the people within it.