Baltimore residents demand action on rising energy costs
- 82% of Baltimore City residents and 79% of Baltimore County residents identified household energy costs as a major issue.
- A recent survey revealed that crime and public safety are significant concerns for most residents, although crime rates have decreased.
- Despite these issues, many residents hold a positive outlook on local amenities such as sports venues and parks.
In a recent survey conducted among Baltimore City and County residents, significant concerns were expressed regarding energy costs, crime, and government services. The poll results revealed that a considerable majority—82% of city residents and 79% of county residents—identified the cost of household energy bills as a major issue in their communities. This concern prompted Maryland lawmakers to introduce several bills during the 2025 legislative session, aimed at addressing rising utility costs. However, notable proposals such as the Ratepayer Protection Act and the Climate Solutions Affordability Act failed to pass in the legislature. Crime and public safety also emerged as critical concerns from the survey, with 83% of city residents and 68% of county residents considering these issues significant. Nevertheless, the rates of violent crime, including homicides and non-fatal shootings, have shown a decline in the city as of April 1, with reports indicating a 22% reduction in homicides and a 28% decrease in non-fatal shootings compared to 2024. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott attributed this drop to the successful implementation of the city's violence prevention plan. The survey also assessed satisfaction levels with local government services. Only 23% of city residents and 36% of county residents expressed satisfaction with K-12 schools. However, responsiveness from emergency services received higher satisfaction ratings, with nearly 58% of city residents and 77% of county residents satisfied. In contrast, satisfaction with local infrastructure maintenance was low, with only 24% of city residents expressing satisfaction alongside 49% of county residents. Despite these challenges, residents maintained a positive outlook on various local amenities, including sports venues and outdoor spaces. Approximately 67% of city residents and 55% of county residents rated local sports venues as good or excellent, and local parks received favorable ratings from 63% of county residents and 48% of city residents. Overall, while challenges with energy costs and crime persist, residents still recognize the value of certain local amenities.