Baltimore's streets are witnessing a notable downturn in violent crimes, according to a recent statement by Mayor Brandon M. Scott, affirming that the city's tough-on-crime strategies are reaping measurable results. Highlighting this positive trend, a report by the City of Baltimore Mayor's Office underscores a significant drop in both homicides and nonfatal shootings for the year 2025.
The latest numbers are striking: 91 homicides coupled with 218 nonfatal shootings so far, signaling a reduction of 29.5% in homicides and a 21% decrease in nonfatal shootings compared with the previous year. These figures come to add to the already sustained decline in violent crime rates the city has seen in the years 2023 and 2024.
The record-low homicide figure for the first eight months is the lowest in over five decades, with a particularly peaceful August that only saw seven homicides – an unprecedented number for what is traditionally one of the more violent months. Detailing components of the city's crime reduction strategy, the Mayor's office noted the Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) has played a critical role. The program has been strikingly proactive, leading to over 519 arrests and providing support for 278 individuals at high risk of involvement in violent crime through organizations such as YAP, Inc., and Roca.
The program has not only helped lower crime but also prevented repeat offenses — most people who got support haven’t been re-victimized or re-arrested. Because of its success, GVRS was expanded in June 2025 to include Baltimore’s Southern Police District. Meanwhile, Safe Streets Baltimore has stopped over 1,000 possible conflicts through its “violence interrupters,” and police have seized 1,685 guns as of August 23, 2025.
It's not only violent crimes that are on the decline; property crimes, including auto thefts, robberies, and carjackings, have witnessed notable decreases, with percentages down by 32%, 26%, and 21%, respectively.
