Baltimore Officials Pause Large Locksmith Contract Amid Transparency Concerns

City Council President Zeke Cohen intervened in early December to remove a contract item from Board of Estimates consideration after local reporting flagged a proposed jump in a Department of General Services locksmith agreement. The Board deferred any decision until its January 7 meeting while Cohen requested an administration briefing to explain the scope and justification for the increase.

The contract in question was originally awarded in March 2023 for about $164,200 to Easter's Lock and Access Systems. Subsequent add ons in 2024 expanded the work and costs, and the most recent proposal would expand the overall contract from roughly $1.0 million to approximately $4.44 million, an increase of about 300 percent. Reporting shows there is no supporting documentation publicly available that details how the additional roughly $3.41 million would be spent.

City officials have not provided a clear public accounting of the expanded scope despite a statement indicating mayoral support for the increase. Cohen's request for an administration briefing signals council concern about procurement transparency and fiscal stewardship as the city moves toward a contract decision in January.

For Baltimore residents the issue matters on several levels. Locksmith services underpin security at municipal buildings, schools, and public housing, so changes in service scope or quality can affect daily access and safety. At the same time an unexplained multi million dollar increase touches the city budget and taxpayer trust, particularly as agencies manage competing priorities.

The Board of Estimates deferral creates a window for additional oversight, documentation, and public questions. Council members will have the opportunity to demand line item detail, timelines, and deliverables before any additional funds are approved. How the administration responds will shape public confidence in procurement practices and in the citys handling of contracts that affect both operations and community safety.

The January 7 Board meeting will be the next formal checkpoint, and residents and oversight bodies will be watching for transparent accounting and a clear explanation of services covered by the expanded contract.