Baltimore Sees Significant Drop in Homicides and Shootings, Mayor Announces

Baltimore, MD – Baltimore City is experiencing a notable decrease in violent crime, with homicides and nonfatal shootings continuing to decline as of November 3, 2025, according to a recent announcement from Mayor Brandon M. Scott. The city recorded 9 homicides and 25 shootings in October alone. When compared to the same period last year, Baltimore has seen a 31.7% reduction in homicides and a 22% decrease in nonfatal shootings.

These reductions are attributed to a collaborative effort involving the Baltimore Police Department, community violence intervention programs, the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the Office of the Attorney General, the State’s Attorney’s Office, and the city’s residents. The administration plans to sustain and intensify these successful strategies to ensure continued progress through the remainder of 2025 and into the future.

So far in 2025, there have been 112 homicides and 270 nonfatal shootings, marking a significant decrease of 52 homicides and 76 nonfatal shootings compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. These figures highlight a substantial improvement in public safety across the city.

A cornerstone of this progress is Baltimore’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS). This initiative is a joint effort between the Baltimore Police Department, the Mayor’s Office, and prosecutors from the State’s Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General. The GVRS specifically targets violent social networks identified as the primary drivers of violence within Baltimore. The strategy aims to encourage individuals at the highest risk of involvement in violence to disengage from criminal activity and seek alternative paths. Through these efforts, the GVRS has facilitated over 560 arrests and connected more than 323 individuals with critical support services, including life coaching, provided by organizations like YAP, Inc. and Roca.

In addition to the decline in shootings, the Baltimore Police Department has been actively removing firearms from the streets. As of November 1, 2025, officers have confiscated 2,186 firearms this year, indicating a strong focus on gun interdiction.

The positive trend extends beyond homicides and shootings, with other major crime categories also showing substantial decreases. Aggravated assaults are down by 11%, auto thefts have decreased by 30%, carjackings have fallen by 34%, and robberies are down by 29% when compared to the same period last year. These citywide reductions suggest a broader impact of the implemented public safety initiatives.

The ongoing efforts to enhance safety in Baltimore City are yielding measurable results, with sustained declines in violent crime indicating a positive shift in community well-being. Residents can expect to see the continued impact of these collaborative strategies in their neighborhoods.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from a press release by the City of Baltimore

---