Baltimore Council President Replaced Safety Committee Chair
Council Member John Bullock succeeded Mark Conway as chair of the Public Safety Committee in September 2026.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in People
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In September 2026, Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen appointed 9th District Council Member John Bullock as the new chair of the Public Safety Committee. The appointment followed the removal of Mark Conway, who remains a committee member.
Why it matters
President Cohen cited Mark Conway's poor attendance and ineffective legislation as primary reasons for the leadership change. John Bullock intends to shift the committee's focus toward a more holistic approach to public safety and city issues.
John Bullock brings a 10-year tenure on the Baltimore City Council to his new role overseeing the Public Safety Committee. He represents the 9th District, which includes areas of West Baltimore.
The players
Zeke Cohen
He serves as the Baltimore City Council President and orchestrated the recent committee leadership changes.
John Bullock
He is the Baltimore City Council member for the 9th District who has served for 10 years and now chairs the Public Safety Committee.
Mark Conway
He is a Baltimore City Council member who formerly chaired the Public Safety Committee before his removal in September 2026.
Jamal Turner
He currently chairs the Baltimore Police Accountability Board.
The details
Bullock plans to increase community input by publicizing committee meetings in advance and has already removed the phrase open-air drug markets from the agenda. His upcoming priorities include improving firehouse conditions and securing additional mental health resources for Baltimore firefighters, following the death of three firefighters in a 2022 building collapse.
Timeline
Three city firefighters were killed in a building collapse in 2022.
Mark Conway was ousted as committee chair in September 2026.
Police oversight leaders held a news conference in late September 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition reflects a broader shift in how Baltimore handles urban safety, moving away from past legislative agendas and toward the clear boarding initiative standards. The committee is now realigning its focus to compete with citywide expectations for more comprehensive municipal oversight.
Residents may see changes in how public safety hearings are conducted and prioritized under the new committee leadership. The shift toward a more holistic legislative approach could influence future policy discussions regarding city services and firefighter support.
The takeaway
The move signals a significant pivot in the city's approach to public safety governance. Residents should expect more community-focused legislative sessions as the new chair prioritizes transparency and broader safety resources.
Further reading
For more on local leadership, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Baltimore Banner.
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