Baltimore police department isn't controlled by the city of Baltimore, it's controlled by the state, which is insane because, as it's written now, the Mayor and City Council can't compel BPD to do ANYTHING. This is an arcane portion of law left over from (I believe) the civil war era and was reaffirmed in the 60s or 70s. This referendum would transfer governance back to the mayor and city council where it belongs.