Baltimore Sees Lowest Homicide Rate in 50 Years

Dayna Williams
Jul 5
2 min read

Baltimore just made history. Under Mayor Brandon Scott, the city reported its lowest homicide rate in more than five decades. From January to June 2025, homicides dropped 22.7%, and non‑fatal shootings fell by nearly 20% compared to the same period in 2024 (Fox Baltimore, 2025). Scott’s public health approach to violence—centered on people, not punishment—is turning heads across the nation.

The Scott Approach: Health, Not Handcuffs

Since taking office in 2020, Mayor Brandon Scott has called gun violence a public health crisis. His 5-year plan aims to reduce shootings by 15% annually using a mix of:

Group Violence Reduction Strategy: Offers life coaching, employment help, and social support to high-risk individuals.
Violence Interrupters: Trusted community members help de-escalate disputes before violence erupts.
Strategic Policing: Law enforcement targets repeat violent offenders using real-time data.

Together, these efforts reflect Scott’s belief that prevention and accountability can—and must—coexist (Washington Post, 2025).

The Numbers Speak

According to the city’s 2025 mid-year report:

Homicides fell from 88 to 68
Non-fatal shootings dropped by 19.6%
April milestone: Only 5 homicides—the fewest in a single month in city history
Other crimes (auto thefts, robberies, carjackings) also declined
Clearance rates improved: 64% for homicides, 44% for shootings (Fox Baltimore, 2025)

These results mark a continued trend: homicides have declined every year since Scott took office.

A Model for Urban Safety

Mayor Scott’s work reimagines public safety beyond policing. It centers trust, data, and community partnerships. As he noted, “This work doesn’t happen overnight. It happens through partnerships, investments, and treating people like people” (Washington Post, 2025).

Call to Action

Mayor Brandon Scott’s results show what’s possible when we center healing, strategy, and community. But Baltimore’s progress isn’t just a city win—it’s a blueprint for safer, stronger futures everywhere. Share this story to shift the narrative that our communities are not broken, they’re building, and stay informed about the wins, challenges, and changemakers shaping our cities. Let’s invest in what’s working. Let’s build a legacy through safety, strategy, and solidarity.

References

Fox Baltimore. (2025, July 1). Baltimore mayor: City has fewest homicides in 50 years. https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/baltimore-mayor-brandon-scott-city-has-fewest-homicides-in-50-years Washington Post. (2025, July 4). Baltimore is seeing the city’s fewest homicides in 50 years. Here's why. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/07/04/baltimore-gun-violence-homicidesAP News. (2025, January 19). How Baltimore is saving lives by offering young men resources when they put down the guns. https://apnews.com/article/564a6d247d73805279af95d856cafeb8