Latest news with #ComprehensiveViolencePreventionPlan
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Black mayors of cities Trump decries as ‘lawless' tout significant declines in violent crimes
'It gives us an opportunity to say we need to amplify our voices to confront the rhetoric that crime is just running rampant around major US cities. It's just not true,' said Van Johnson, mayor of Savannah, Ga., and president of the African American Mayors Association. 'It's not supported by any evidence or statistics whatsoever.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up After deploying the first of 800 National Guard members to Washington, the Republican president is setting his sights on other cities including Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Oakland, Calif., calling them crime-ridden and 'horribly run.' One thing they all have in common: They're led by Black mayors. Advertisement 'It was not lost on any member of our organization that the mayors either were Black or perceived to be Democrats,' Johnson said. 'And that's unfortunate. For mayors, we play with whoever's on the field.' Advertisement The federal government's actions have heightened some of the mayors' desires to champion the strategies used to help make their cities safer. Trump argued that federal law enforcement had to step in after a prominent employee of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, was attacked in an attempted carjacking. He also pointed to homeless encampments, graffiti, and potholes as evidence of Washington 'getting worse.' However statistics published by Washington's Metropolitan Police contradict the president and show Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson scoffed at Trump's remarks, hailing the city's 'historic progress driving down homicides by more than 30 percent and shootings by almost 40 percent in the last year alone.' Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles, where homicides fell 14 percent between 2023 and 2024, called the federal takeover nothing but a performative 'power grab.' In Baltimore, officials say they have seen historic decreases in homicides and nonfatal shootings this year, and those have been on the decline since 2022, according to the city's public safety data dashboard. Carjackings were down 20 percent in 2023, and other major crimes fell in 2024. Only burglaries have climbed slightly. The lower crime rates are attributed to tackling violence with a 'public health' approach, city officials say. In 2021, under Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore created a Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan that called for more investment in community violence intervention, more services for crime victims, and other initiatives. Scott accused Trump of exploiting crime as a 'wedge issue and dog whistle' rather than caring about curbing violence. 'He has actively undermined efforts that are making a difference saving lives in cities across the country in favor of militarized policing of Black communities,' Scott said via email. Advertisement The Democratic mayor pointed out that the Justice Department has slashed over $1 million in funding this year that would have gone toward community antiviolence measures. He vowed to keep on making headway, regardless. 'We will continue to closely work with our regional federal law enforcement agencies, who have been great partners, and will do everything in our power to continue the progress despite the roadblocks this administration attempts to implement,' Scott said. Just last week Oakland officials touted significant decreases in crime in the first half of this year compared with the same period in 2024, including a 21 percent drop in homicides and a 29 percent decrease in all violent crime, according to the midyear report by the Major Cities Chiefs Association. Officials credited collaborations with community organizations and crisis response services through the city's Department of Violence Prevention, established in 2017. 'These results show that we're on the right track,' Mayor Barbara Lee said at a news conference. 'We're going to keep building on this progress with the same comprehensive approach that got us here.' After Trump gave his assessment of Oakland last week, she rejected it as 'fearmongering.' Social justice advocates agree that crime has gone down and say Trump is perpetuating exaggerated perceptions that have long plagued Oakland. Nicole Lee, executive director of Urban Peace Movement, an Oakland-based organization that focuses on empowering communities of color and young people through initiatives such as leadership training and assistance to victims of gun violence, said much credit for the gains on lower crime rates is due to community groups. 'We really want to acknowledge all of the hard work that our network of community partners and community organizations have been doing over the past couple of years coming out of the pandemic to really create real community safety,' Lee said. 'The things we are doing are working.' Advertisement She worries that an intervention by military forces would undermine that progress. 'It creates kind of an environment of fear in our community,' Lee said. In Washington, agents from multiple federal agencies, National Guard members and even the United States Park Police have been seen Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson Savannah's Johnson said he is all for partnering with the federal government, but troops on city streets is not what he envisioned. Instead, cities need federal assistance for things like multistate investigation and fighting problems such as gun trafficking, and cybercrimes. 'I'm a former law enforcement officer. There is a different skill set that is used for municipal law enforcement agencies than the military,' Johnson said. There has also been speculation that federal intervention could entail curfews for young people. But that would do more harm, Nicole Lee said, disproportionately affecting young people of color and wrongfully assuming that youths are the main instigators of violence. 'If you're a young person, basically you can be cited, criminalized, simply for being outside after certain hours,' Lee said. 'Not only does that not solve anything in regard to violence and crime, it puts young people in the crosshairs of the criminal justice system.' Advertisement For now, Johnson said, the mayors are watching their counterpart in Washington, Muriel Bowser, closely to see how she navigates the unprecedented federal intervention. She has been Johnson praised Bowser for carrying on with dignity and grace. 'Black mayors are resilient. We are intrinsically children of struggle,' Johnson said. 'We learn to adapt quickly, and I believe that we will and we are.'
CBS News
20-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott to deliver the State of the City address
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott will deliver his State of the City address on Monday, April 21. In April, the mayor has touted the decline in violent crime and has revealed the city's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget , which aims to address an $85 million shortfall. The State of the City address also comes just over 10 years since Freddie Gray died following an arrest in Baltimore, which ignited protests across the country. Mayor Scott sat down with WJZ in April to discuss the city's downward crime trends. At the beginning of April, Scott said homicides were down 22% and non-fatal shootings have declined by 28% compared to this time in 2024, according to Baltimore City data. As of Friday, April 18, Baltimore City police responded to 37 homicides, compared to 51 in 2024. There have also been 83 non-fatal shootings, in comparison to 123 last year. "We are just acknowledging the progress and pushing forward," Scott said. On April 1, Scott said total violent crime was down 20% this year, aggravated assaults were down 13%, robberies were down 22%, auto thefts were down 46%, and carjackings are down 23%. The mayor also said at the time that about 600 guns were recovered by police. "We are not resting on that," Scott said. "There are still far too many people being murdered and injured in our city. We won't stop." The mayor has complemented the city's Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan, which aims to prevent violence with a public health approach, community engagement, and accountability. From the beginning, the prevention plan has aimed to approach violence as a public health issue. In the updated plan, there's a new focus on youth justice. It builds upon some of the plan's previous work but also adds new goals. "We are seeing crime across the board drop in the city, and we just want to work together with everyone to keep that going," Scott said. "We are seeing that work and seeing that partnership under the vision and plan that I laid out coming to fruition." Saturday, April 19, marked 10 years since the death of Freddie Gray, who died a week after sustaining injuries in Baltimore police custody in 2015, sparking unrest and protest across the city and country. On Saturday, several people gathered under a mural dedicated to Gray on N. Mount Street in West Baltimore. Fredricka, Gray's twin sister, placed down a wreath in honor of her brother. "It's still justice for Freddie Gray," Fredricka said. Gray was placed in police custody on the morning of April 12, 2015 . He was placed into the back of a police van, where he would suffer injuries that ultimately killed him. Gray was shackled and unsecured in the van, and he he asked for help several times, but police failed to give him any assistance until it was too late, according to prosecutors. By the time Gray got to the police precinct in West Baltimore, he was drooling, unable to speak and had a fractured neck. The medical examiner later ruled his death a homicide. Days of protests turned violent shortly after Gray's funeral. In the aftermath of Gray's death, the Baltimore police department was placed under a consent decree. Earlier this week, a federal judge released the department from two sections of that decree , saying BPD was now in compliance. During Saturday's event, Mayor Scott acknowledged the progress being made. "We are not the perfect Baltimore that we all want to be, and with that said, we've double-downed on wanting to be after 2015 and the unrest that followed Freddie's death," Scott said. "Yes, we are better, and we will continue to get better each and every day." The city's proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 prioritizes youth development, public safety, neighborhood revitalization, and responsible use of resources. In order to trim the city's monetary shortfall , the budget balances the deficit through $26.6 million in new revenue from updated fee structures, $43.7 million in citywide cost optimizations, and $14.7 million in agency-specific reductions. The proposal does not include increases in property or income taxes. The spending plan involves $624.8 million for youth initiatives, including $6.9 million to expand the YouthWorks summer jobs program to 8,500 participants at $15 per hour and funding for two new recreation centers. Public safety would receives $1.2 billion, with full funding for the citywide expansion of the Group Violence Reduction Strategy and continued efforts to transition administrative police tasks to civilian roles, according to the proposed budget. These efforts are expected to save $1.1 million annually in overtime costs. According to the proposal, the budget would allocate $1.1 billion for neighborhood services, including $5 million to enhance trash and recycling collection with 15 additional crews and $36.7 million from the Opioid Restitution Fund to combat the opioid epidemic. Scott's plan also includes $346.4 million for neighborhood development, featuring an additional $1.5 million for the mayor's $3 billion vacant housing initiative. That funding will also cover Bmore FAST , a new program to improve the city's property permitting process. An additional $2 million would be used to establish a new Office of Art, Culture, and Entertainment. The budget now moves to the City Council for review before the start of the fiscal year on July 1. "This year's budget outlook is filled with both opportunities and challenges, exacerbated by uncertainty at the federal level and a significant state deficit being addressed in Annapolis," Mayor Scott said. "Even in the face of challenging economic circumstances, my administration is committed to investing in our young people and older adults, improving our core service delivery, and continuing the historic progress we have made on public safety. The FY2026 budget is a reflection of our city's values. This is not just our financial plan for the next year; it is a roadmap for our future- designed to invest in the safety, health, and prosperity of every resident." Here's a look at the city's proposed FY2026 budget .
CBS News
16-04-2025
- CBS News
Baltimore City implements youth engagement strategy to deter crime ahead of spring break
Baltimore City has activated its youth safety engagement strategy to deter violence in the city ahead of spring break, Mayor Brandon Scott said Tuesday. The strategy directs violence intervention partners to conduct outreach where young people are likely to gather. The mayor said youth engagement teams were deployed in the last two weeks to start establishing their presence in some high-traffic areas. The effort to deter violent crime is part of the city's Summer Youth Engagement Strategy, which was first launched in 2023. The initiative combines a non-traditional curfew with programs for young people to enjoy in safe environments. Over the past two summers, the youth engagement strategy has helped to reduce youth violence and victimization, according to the mayor's office. The latest activation is a continuation of the summer engagement initiative. "It's on all of us to ensure our young people are safe and avoid behaviors that put themselves and others in danger," Mayor Scott said. "As we approach the warmer months, it is imperative that we put boots on the ground and support Baltimore's young people in our collective effort to prioritize their safety." As part of the crime prevention effort, the Mayor's Office and Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks (BCRP) launched 27 spring break opportunities with about 630 young people registered. The mayor's office has also launched BCRP's mobile recreation unit in communities that have limited access to facilities. Baltimore City's Youth Engagement Strategy aims to reduce crime by providing young people with activities and opportunities when school is out for spring or summer break. According to the mayor's office, community partners will be active on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday nights on holiday weekends through the end of the summer. Staff members will work to engage and build relationships with young people in the city. They will also work to de-escalate conflicts, prevent violence and provide resources when needed. The city has entered into a partnership with B-360, a non-profit that focuses on dirt bike culture and aims to empower young people and get them interested in STEM education. B-360's location in downtown Baltimore will serve as a youth and teen center where young people can learn or receive tutoring. The city has also activated youth engagement partners, including For My Kidz, Redesigning Minds, The Movement Team, and The PEACE Team. The city will hold events to engage young people throughout the week, ending with a Spring Break Teen Fest on Saturday, April 19, in Druid Hill Park. According to Mayor Scott, Youth shooting victimizations dropped by 66% in 2024, and aggravated assault victimizations dropped by 31%. Overall, the city has seen a drop in crime in recent years , which the mayor credits to the city's Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan. As of April 1, homicides are down 22% and non-fatal shootings decreased by 28% compared to 2024. So far in 2025, violent crime has decreased by 20% and about 600 guns have been recovered by police, according to data from the mayor's office.
CBS News
02-04-2025
- CBS News
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott says crime prevention plan is helping to reduce city's violence
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott says the city's efforts to combat crime are working. The mayor sat down with WJZ on Tuesday to discuss the downward crime trends in the city. As of Tuesday, homicides are down 22% and non-fatal shootings have declined by 28% compared to this time in 2024, according to Baltimore City data. With the murders still down by 10 and other shootings down nearly 30, the mayor says it's not a time to celebrate. "We are just acknowledging the progress and pushing forward," Scott said. Scott said total violent crime is down 20% this year, aggravated assaults are down 13%, robberies are down 22%, auto thefts are down 46%, and carjackings are down 23%. The mayor also said about 600 guns have been recovered by police. "We are not resting on that," Scott said. "There are still far too many people being murdered and injured in our city. We won't stop." Mayor Scott credits the city's Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan, which aims to prevent violence with a public health approach, community engagement, and accountability. From the beginning, the prevention plan has aimed to approach violence as a public health issue. In the updated plan, there's a new focus on youth justice. It builds upon some of the plan's previous work but also adds new goals. "We are seeing crime across the board drop in the city, and we just want to work together with everyone to keep that going," Scott said." We are seeing that work and seeing that partnership under the vision and plan that I laid out coming to fruition." Mayor Scott told WJZ that Baltimore residents have noticed the drop in violent crimes. However, Scott said residents won't be happy until crime is eliminated from Baltimore City. "They are like me, they know it is not a cause for celebration," Scott said. "We are going to keep working at this each and every day until we get to the point where there aren't any homicides or any shootings. That's when we will truly be happy, and a time to celebrate." With the temperatures warming up, and spring break and summer break approaching, Mayor Scott understands that's when people will gather outside. In 2024, Baltimore enforced a youth curfew to slow crime statistics. The city's youth curfew policy required anyone younger than 14 to be home by 9 p.m. For those younger than 17, the curfew was set at 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on the weekends. Scott has not said whether another youth curfew will be issued this year. "When more people are out, more conflict will arise," Scott said. "It's about making sure we stick to the plan and adjust when necessary, making sure we do the things we know we can control." On March 30, police said a 16-year-old was injured in a shooting near the Inner Harbor during a large gathering.
