It’s utterly unfathomable. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake stood before citizens and the media and said that she gave "space” to “those who wished to destroy.” She told her police officers to give RIOTERS space to RIOT:
"We also gave those who wish to destroy space to do that, as well."
So, she allowed a dangerous mass of people to threaten innocent, law-abiding citizens. See her talk about it here, implying that rioting and vandalism are rights protected by the first amendment.
Here’s an example of the havoc she “gave space.” Rioters are assaulting innocent citizens as they carve a path of carnage through the streets.
(Be warned: there is a small amount of violence and some swearing in the video below)
UPDATE: A State of Emergency has now been declared and National Guard summoned - at Mayor Rawlings-Blake's request.