Baltimore police commissioner: 'The curfew is working ... the city is stable'

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts says a citywide curfew seems to be working.

Batts told a news conference shortly before midnight Tuesday that only 10 people had been arrested following the 10 p.m. curfew, including seven for violating the curfew. He said two people were arrested for looting and one for disorderly conduct.

Batts said he was pleased with the efforts of dozens of community organizers, clergy and neighborhood activists who urged residents to remain calm.

"The curfew is, in fact, working," Batts said. "Citizens are safe. The city is stable. We hope to maintain it that way."

Officials called for the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew following riots that started hours after Freddie Gray's funeral Monday. He died after being injured in police custody.

Earlier Tuesday night, smoke bombs or fireworks thrown from a crowd sent acrid smoke billowing over a Baltimore square where dozens of riot police stood to try to enforce a curfew and prevent a second night of rioting in the city.



Local reporters said the tensions rose after people threw water bolts and other debris.

Baltimore Police tweeted at 10:32 p.m. that "Officers are now deploying pepper balls at the aggressive crowd."

People covered their faces as they ran, coughing.

Military vehicles were moving through the streets, trying to disperse the last of the crowd.



Maryland's governor said there will be 2,000 National Guard troops and more than 1,000 police officers on the streets to enforce the 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew after riots and looting broke out Monday in the wake of Freddie Gray's funeral.