Safer Streets

A city must be safe in order to create more jobs.  A tough and smart war-against-crime is necessary to create the economy and quality of life that will benefit all residents and businesses in Baltimore..

Our Results:

Historic Reduction in Crime. Mayor Rawlings-Blake tough crime strategy delivered immediate results. In 2010, Baltimore recorded the lowest homicide count since 1985, a 25-year low. Gun homicides were down 13%, Juvenile homicides and shootings are down 35%. Overall Gun Crime is down 16% from 2009 – 498 less victims of gun crime during Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s first year in office.

Tackling Violent Offenders. Mayor Rawlings-Blake fought successfully to pass tougher sentencing for felons in possession firearms who have previous convictions for a violent crime or drug felony. The Mayor was also successful in closing a loophole that exempted rifles and shotguns, some of the most dangerous weapons on our streets.

Strengthening Public Safety. Mayor Rawlings-Blake and the Police Commissioner announced plans to hire 100 new police officers in 2010 – and they delivered more than they promised by hiring 109 new officers by the end of 2010. This commitment will help the city build on a decade of crime reduction.

Our Future:

Reducing Gun Violence. Mayor Rawlings-Blake will continue to fight for stronger state laws for enhanced penalties on illegal guns and repeat violent offenders. Mayor Rawlings-Blake will seek new ways to target gun violence by focusing enforcement efforts on the criminals most likely to carry illegal guns and commit acts of violence.

Accelerated Recruitment of New Police Officers - Mayor Rawlings-Blake will maintain funding for every single police officer and implement a strategic plan to hire hundreds of new police officers in 2011.

New Tools to Fight Crime. Mayor Rawlings-Blake will provide police officers and crime fighters the tools to fight crime by investing in new, innovative, proven technologies to improve public safety. Police Officers will have access to state-of the-art technology to help fight crime. Additional smart crime cameras and gunshot recognition technologies will be deployed in areas with historically high rates of crime and violence.