Baltimore Success Story: Mayor Scott's community-based approach achieves historic drop in violent crime

"After years of investing in violence interrupters, community outreach workers, and neighborhood-based prevention initiatives, Baltimore is witnessing the fruits of this focused approach. These programs work because they address violence at its roots, engaging directly with the individuals and communities most affected by crime." -- Maryland Public Defender Natasha Dartigue

- Marc H. Morial, President and CEO National Urban League

When Brandon Scott took office as Mayor of Baltimore in 2021, he implemented a public safety plan that tackled violence as a public health problem, emphasized community engagement, and committed to accountability.

Today, Baltimore is seeing the lowest homicide rate in 50 years.

The 22% decline in homicides and 19% decline in nonfatal shootings over the first six months of the year exceed the city's Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan’s goal of a 15% annual reduction in gun violence.

The historic milestone is part of an ongoing dramatic reduction in crime that began in 2003. By the end of 2024, six communities--Belvedere, Woodbourne McCabe, Park Heights, Penn North, Franklin Square, and Brooklyn — saw a year without homicides, according to Scott's first-term report.