Baltimore mayor purchased a luxury vehicle worth over $163k, and taxpayers are mad

Locals are outraged as reporting indicates the mayor of Baltimore purchased a luxury vehicle worth over $100k.

Americans are more politically aware than ever, and with that comes increased scrutiny over the spending of taxpayer dollars. Long gone are the days when politicians can live it up on the backs of the middle class without any fear of accountability from voters. But that doesn’t mean that some people aren’t still trying.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is in hot water with his constituents over the purchase of a 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, which “cost taxpayers $163,495 – including nearly $65,000 in upgrades, including police lights, sirens and a security microphone,” according to FoxBaltimore.

“Not the taxpayers’ money! If he wants it for himself, yeah. But not with our money,” said outraged taxpayer Christian Heath, who was informed of the purchase by Spotlight on Maryland. “Our money should be for the city, the schools, the kids. Just to ride around? We don’t have cars like that.”

But the mayor does have some defenders, like City Councilman Zac Blanchard.

“I think buying a nicer SUV with relevant safety and communications enhancements twice a decade is pretty reasonable for a large city’s top elected official,” Blanchard reasoned.

While most residents agree that Scott should have a secure, safe vehicle, many have a problem with the shocking price tag attached to the Jeep.

“I don’t think that’s an appropriate price,” said Ricona Coats. “The safety features, I guess I can understand because he’s a government official, but I just think the accountants over there (City Hall) could be a little more cost-effective.”

Scott defended his purchase during an October 1 presser, saying: “The new vehicle is going to serve the same purpose as the old vehicle – to transport me around. I think the residents of Baltimore will understand that the governor of Maryland, the comptroller of Maryland, the county executives, we all have vehicles.”

“I am the one that does not understand that. It doesn’t make sense,” Coats argued. “I can’t afford that kind of car.”

But at least one anonymous citizen was willing to be understanding of such a high cost.

“I have a friend who is a PIO (public information officer) for the D.C. fire service. He drives a very similar vehicle. I could see that as a reasonable amount of money. Considering that a basic Jeep Grand Wagoneer is about $70K,” they said.

“The city is in shambles,” said another resident, who wished not to be named. “People are going through too much in this city for him to be worried about a vehicle.”

Writer/Columnist

Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to BizPac Review.

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