Baltimore Democrats Have Given Up on Criminal Justice Reform — Now They Celebrate the Lowest Homicide Rate in Years

Baltimore Mayor Predicts Record Low Homicides by 2025

Baltimore’s Democratic Mayor, Brandon Scott, shared on X on Monday that he believes the city will finish 2025 with its lowest homicide rate in decades.

His statement came in reaction to an analysis from The Baltimore Banner, which noted that with fewer than 150 homicides, the city could see the lowest figures in 48 years. This analysis also follows the crime-fighting efforts of Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, who has been in office since 2023.

The decline in homicides, which began in 2022, is projected to bring the number below 200 for the first time since 1970, marking a milestone for the city in consecutive years.

Bates has been advocating for a focus on “quality of life” offenses, creating citations for minor crimes like petty theft. This approach differs from that of his predecessor, Marilyn Mosby, who often chose not to press charges for lower-level offenses.

In a Facebook post dated July 1, Bates emphasized that while some may have criticized his office for moving away from former policies, the reduction in homicide rates tells a different story based on tangible outcomes, rather than just talk. He mentioned that by eliminating ineffective no-prosecution strategies, police can actively work to ensure public safety.

In the first half of 2025, Baltimore recorded 68 homicides—its lowest figure for that timeframe in 50 years, according to a press release from Scott’s office.

Following the announcement from former President Donald Trump regarding deploying the National Guard to the city, Maryland Governor Wes Moore also increased law enforcement presence in Baltimore. Statistics shared by Moore’s office indicate that this surge in police presence has correlated with a 25% decrease in violent crimes, including murder and assault.

Trump has consistently made tackling violent crime a priority during his second term, including signing an executive order aimed at providing federal assistance to local law enforcement for crime prevention.