It's ironic that one who fought so hard to make Baltimore streets safe, died senselessly in an armed robbery last week. Kenneth Harris, Sr., the two term fourth district Baltimore City Councilman who has been described as a distinguished son of the City, was murdered at a popular jazz club in northeast Baltimore.

He championed a number of civic causes over the past decade as he fought for safe streets, evicted tenants, quality public education and more. He was a leader on the council citywide smoking ban to combat secondhand smoke, he chaired the Education, Housing, Health and Human Services Committee as well as those on Land Use and Transportation. Outside of the City Hall chambers, he was a frequent speaker at city schools, motivating young people to succeed.

He was a PTA president, coached little league baseball and established the Bridge to Manhood program to encourage inner city males to overcome their odds. The young men who so tragically ended his life at age 45, did not cross the bridge he was building. Despite the success city police are having in reducing the murder rate, statistics show northeast Baltimore has been troubled by robberies. While great strides are being made toward reducing crime in Baltimore, the untimely death of Ken Harris, serves as a reminder that there is more work to be done.