T.J. Smith, Baltimore’s chief police spokesman, has been getting the names of city homicide victims by text message with increasing regularity of late.

Do not approach. Call 911.”Brooks is described as 5-foot-8, weighing 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Antonio has ...

In Baltimore, they're known as knockers or jump-out boys - police officers in street clothes - jeans, T-shirts, tactical vests - who were tasked with going after gun crimes and drug offenders.