An Escalating Violent Crime Problem. New Leadership Prompts Record-Setting Improvement. Baltimore Has Become a Safer Place. Since 1999, Baltimore Has Led the Nation in the Rate of Reduction of Violent Crime. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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An Escalating Violent Crime ProblemBaltimore City Annual Incidences of Violent Crime
• In 1999 mayoral candidate Martin J. O’Malley set a goal to reduce the annual number of homicides in Baltimore to 175 by 2002.
• During the current decade, under the leadership of Mayor O’Malley, Baltimore has led the nation in the rate of reduction of violent crime. The nearly 40 percent reduction achieved translates to almost 26,000 fewer incidences of violent crime in the city. Despite this success, the city’s annual number of homicides commands a disproportionate amount of public attention and a perception has taken hold that the Mayor has not or is no longer making progress on reducing Baltimore’s homicides.
• While Baltimore has not yet achieved its homicide goal, significant progress has been made and there are very encouraging signs regarding the city’s current and future outlook.
A Seemingly Intractable Problem…
During the 1990's the CityExperienced More Than 300 Homicides Every Year
305 304
335353
321 325 331
312 313305
175
225
275
325
375
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
…But Indisputable Improvement
Mayor O'Malley Ended the City's 10-Year Streak of 300+ Homicides and Recorded Baltimore's Lowest Homicide Level Since 1988
305 304
335353
321 325 331
312 313305
261 256 253270 276
269
175
225
275
325
375
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005O'Malley: Five Straight Years Below 3001990 - 1999: A decade of 300+ Homicides Per Year
Two Decades in Contrast• During the 1990’s, the City
averaged 320 homicides per year. During the 2000 – 2005 period under the leadership of Mayor Martin O’Malley, Baltimore has averaged 264 homicides per year.
• This represents an 18 percent reduction in average annual homicides and equates to more than 335 homicides having been prevented/lives saved.
Under Mayor O'Malley's LeadershipBaltimore's Average Annual Number of Homicides
Has Dropped 18 Percent
264
320
175
200
225
250
275
300
325
350
1990 - 1999 2000 - 2005
Ann
ual A
vg.
Reasons for Optimism
• Police Commissioner Leonard Hamm has brought stability to the Department’s management, earned the public’s confidence, and dramatically improved officer morale.
• A comprehensive crime camera initiative has brought closed-circuit surveillance efforts to the neighborhoods that experience the highest incidences of violent crime.
A Need for Improvement
• Since 1999, while Baltimore has achieved nation-leading reductions in violent crime, other jurisdictions and the State as a whole have had their struggles. Between 1999 and 2004, the number of violent crime incidents in the State of Maryland has increased when Baltimore City’s reductions are excluded.
• Between 2002 and 2004, Statewide violent crime was reduced 7.3 percent, but more than half of that improvement is attributable to Baltimore City. During the 2003/2004 period, Statewide violent crime outside of Baltimore City was almost unchanged.
Minimal Change in Non-City Statewide Violent Crime Since
Governor Ehrlich Came into Office State of Maryland Incidences of Violent Crime
Are Almost Unchanged During the Governor's First Two Years When Baltimore City's Gains are Excluded
27,595 27,265
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
2003 2004Source: FBI UCR Reports
A Need for Improvement
• The most recent data available from the Maryland State Police shows that for the first nine months of 2005, Statewide violent crime has increased five percent when Baltimore City’s reduction is excluded. During that same time period, violent
crime is up in the majority of Maryland jurisdictions.
Maryland Can Do Better
Violent Crime is a Growing Concernin the State of Maryland