BALTIMORE (AP) - Gov. Larry Hogan says the state of Maryland has been preparing for any disturbances in Baltimore related to the trials of six officers in the death of Freddie Gray ever since he called in the National Guard to help restore order after the unrest in April.
The Republican governor said Monday that a security team in his administration has been working with the city's police commissioner and the state police superintendent. He says his team has met almost on a weekly basis since April.
Hogan says he recognizes that there is "the potential for a flashpoint at some point in the future" and he wants to be prepared.
Hogan says: "It's sort of like we're hoping for the best but preparing for the worst."
This week jury selection began for the trial of William Porter the first of the six officers facing charges in the death of Gray who died after suffering a spinal injury in the back of a police van.
The counts include involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and assault.
There was a small protest outside the courtroom yesterday.
