Baltimore cop says "The Wire" was dead on..
 

Interesting op-ed.

Understand that Baltimore's like any other city, in that it has it's good areas and it's bad ones. Where it differs is the relative size of the areas.

The BPD has been handcuffed by the actions of a few bad officers making national headlines (Inner Harbor skateboarding incident, for example, or the nightclub shooting of a few months ago). So, considering the source of the piece, I'd point out the author's obvious, but not overbearing bias.

My perception was that it was only politicians and the higher ranking police members of the police force who had criticized the series. Most normal cops, the people from the street and also gang members uttered that The Wire would paint a realistic picture of the city and its' problems.
Especially the interview with one of Baltimore's ex-kingpins about the series is extremly interesting. It can be found in the book "The Wire: The truth to be told" by Rafael Alvarez, one of the Wire's writers.

Did "The Corner" cause a simular discussion in the 90's?

Not that I remember, but I wasn't paying much attention when I did live here in that decade - the latter half of it, mostly.

By sheer chance, I happened to be in a book store when Simon & Burns both showed up for a discussion about their book, "The Corner." I sat in and a good time was had by all!!!