Baltimore riots caused at least $9M in damage

BALTIMORE, May 13 (UPI) -- Damage caused to businesses and residences during rioting in Baltimore in April caused at least $9 million in damage, the city's chapter of the Small Business Association said Wednesday.

A survey conducted by the agency found 285 businesses and two residences were damaged by the violent riots that rocked Baltimore on April 27 after the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray while in police custody.

City and state officials said the cost could increase as they continue to assess the damage. Baltimore Development Corp. found even more businesses -- 350 -- sustained damage than the SBA reported. There was also damage to at least 150 vehicles.

The City Council is expected to meet June 9 to discuss the total expenses, the Baltimore Sun reported.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski wrote a letter to the SBA asking for the creation of disaster centers and the implementation of a plan to help business owners apply for assistance.

"This physical disaster determination and quick follow-through is necessary to help ensure that Baltimore business owners can get the physical disaster loan assistance and economic injury disaster loan assistance they need to repair or replace real estate, personal property, equipment, or inventory damaged or destroyed in the disturbance," she wrote in the letter.