For the seventh straight year, Baltimore has surpassed 300 homicides.  

The violent crime numbers continue to increase rapidly, leading to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announcing a slew of tactics to thwart the statistics.  

“People are being shot nearly every single day in Baltimore City, and we all have an obligation to do something about it right now,” Hogan said. “With all of the actions we have announced today, I want those families and all the victims of this violence to know that we will not stop pursuing those criminals who are terrorizing our community, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to make these neighborhoods safer and to get these violent shooters off the streets.”  

According to the most recent data from the FBI, the total crime rate in Baltimore is 6,169.9 per 100,000 people. That’s 149.12% higher than the national rate of 2,476.7 per 100,000 people, and 156.62% higher than the Maryland total crime rate of 2,404.3 per 100,000 people.  

The numbers also state a resident has a 1 in 53.8 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in Baltimore each year. That compares to a 1 in 220.2 chance statewide.  

Hogan plans to implement and expand its $10 million Neighborhood Safety Grants program and a $150 million Re-Fund The Police Initiative, which will include the following:  

• Places of worship for vulnerable communities  
• Hardware upgrades  
• Lighting, cameras  
• Increased security services  
• Body Cameras  
• Deescalating Training  
• Hiring More Officers  
• Victim services  
• Community policing initiatives  

Hogan has also urged the Baltimore Police Department to heighten their efforts in high-crime rate areas, which blends into some Black residential areas.   

Based on data compiled by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, Black people make up 13% of the U.S. population but account for 33% of non-fatal violent crime (NVC), which includes rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and other assaults. Black people were 36% of those arrested for serious non-fatal violent crimes (SNVC), including rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.  

To curb violent crimes, Hogan plans to reintroduce legislation to rectify violent crimes during early December’s special session of the Maryland General Assembly.  

Hogan plans to implement the Violent Firearms Offender Act, which toughens penalties for offenders who use and illegally possess firearms, as well as those who illegally supply firearms to criminals.  

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, to deal with the amount of public safety issues that we have here happening in the city, really happening across the state and around the country, it’s going to take an unprecedented level of cooperation,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. “That’s why for me, my way to pull everyone together is to restart the criminal justice coordinating council with both of the governor and his folks and the City State’s Attorney and her folks are a part of. That’s the way I will have my conversations with the two of them. It will happen in a good way.”