Mayor Brandon Scott claims violence reduction in Baltimore after first term

Baltimore City, Maryland, reported significant declines in both gun violence and homicides, as detailed in the Baltimore Police Department's 2024 year-end crime report. The report, released in early January 2025, noted that homicides fell by 23% in 2024, with the total reaching 201, down from 261 the previous year. The data also revealed a striking 34% reduction in non-fatal shootings, dropping to 414 from 635 in 2023. This improvement in public safety has been hailed by Mayor Brandon Scott, who highlighted the effectiveness of his Gun Violence Reduction Strategy, which began its implementation in January 2022 in specific districts and later expanded to others in the city. As part of the strategy, targeted community interventions and law enforcement efforts have been crucial in addressing hotspots of violence, leading to a report of a 74% decline in teen victims of homicides and non-fatal shootings. The proactive measures taken by the Baltimore Police Department were instrumental in these improvements. They achieved clearance rates that exceeded the national average for various major crimes, including a 68% clearance rate for homicides. The police department's effective responses and strategies involved a comprehensive understanding of crime trends, which allowed them to focus on specific geographic areas and groups often associated with violent crime. Furthermore, several communities, including Belvedere and Penn North, experienced a year without any homicides. The mayor's first term report also featured mentions of other public safety initiatives, such as a $1.2 million settlement targeting ghost gun manufacturing and ongoing compliance efforts with a federal consent decree pertaining to the police department. In addition to improvements in safety, the city has made substantial investments in youth programs, committing $477.1 million for the Fiscal Year 2025 to enhance public schooling and educational resources. This investment is part of broader efforts to foster community resilience by addressing the needs of Baltimore's youth while mitigating factors that lead to violence and crime. The city aims to create opportunities for the younger population while simultaneously revitalizing neighborhoods through affordable housing initiatives and resources aimed at economic growth. Scott's wider vision includes a long-term plan that embraces community engagement and equitable resource distribution in all areas of Baltimore, contributing to a healthier, interconnected society.