BALTIMORE, MD:  Today, Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Rudy S. Chow, P.E., issued the following statement regarding an act of workplace violence that resulted in a DPW employee's death :



"I, along with the extended Baltimore City Department of Public Works family, was shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic violence this morning at our Park Terminal facility.  One employee has died, and as of this afternoon the Baltimore City Police were still looking for a person in connection with this incident.



Workplace violence of this nature is something you hear about in other places, but you cannot prepare yourself for the emotions when it strikes home.  Our employees at Park Terminal responded as professionally as possible, sheltering in place until the police arrived to conduct a thorough investigation.  I am grateful that the police agreed to my request that they conduct a thorough search of the entire building to make sure the immediate threat had passed.



We emphasize safety to all of our workers.  This includes wearing helmets and vests on the job site, as well as identifying and correcting potential office hazards.  But we are not immune to violence.



Union leaders quickly reached out today, working with us to take care of the employees touched by today’s tragedy.  Many of the workers at Park Terminal took the day off, with permission of the City’s Labor Commissioner.  And we have reached out to the City’s Employee Assistance Program to help workers dealing with grief, fear, anger, or other challenges.



This will be a difficult time for DPW friends and co-workers.  For now we will let the police continue their investigation, without commenting or speculating on what happened and why.  We will be respectful of the families whose lives are forever changed.  And we will continue our dedicated service to our customers."