Baltimore’s Historic Drop in Murders
Baltimore, Maryland, has seen a remarkable reduction in murders, marking the lowest count in the first half of the year in 50 years, as highlighted by a recent announcement from the mayor’s office.
By the end of June, the city recorded only 68 murders, a significant decrease compared to 88 in the same period last year. Mayor Brandon Scott attributed this progress to a thorough public safety strategy that has been developed in partnership with community members.
“Our continued progress is attributed to the comprehensive, evidence-based public safety strategy we’ve put in place with our residents,” Scott stated. He also acknowledged the contributions of various local agencies and community partners in combating violence.
“But our work is not finished,” he added. “The 68 lives lost to violence are too many. While it’s important to celebrate these historical lows, we recognize there’s much more to be done, and we’re committed to doing it.”
Since June 2024, Baltimore has experienced a 22.7% decrease in homicides and a 19.6% reduction in non-fatal shootings. Other crime statistics show a 34% drop in auto thefts, a 22% reduction in robberies, a 15% decline in carjackings, and a 10% decrease in arson incidents over the same timeframe.
As reported by the 2024 Federal Bureau of Investigation data, Baltimore had the highest rates of murder and robbery per capita, with approximately 50 murders and 556 robberies for every 100,000 residents. The city’s estimated population stood at around 568,271 as of July 1, 2024.
