Latest news with #SummerYouthEngagementStrategy
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Youth violence reduction to be focus of Ivan Bates annual community town hall
Baltimore City State's Attorney, Ivan Bates, is hosting his second annual Public Safety Townhall, Community Conversation Tuesday. The town hall will include Bates and other city leaders, and focus on discussing strategies for reducing juvenile crime. Crime involving youth in Baltimore City Curbing violence among juveniles has been an ongoing task for Baltimore City leaders. Just Monday, two teens aged 15 and 16 were injured after a shooting in Southeast Baltimore. On April 26, two 17-year-olds were injured after a shooting in Southwest Baltimore. Days later, a group of 16 teenagers were charged with a string of violent crimes, including robbery, auto theft, and assault. The overall effort to reduce crime in the city has persisted for years, with some positive results. Baltimore Mayor Scott's crime reduction efforts Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott has implemented multiple programs to reduce youth violence, including the city's Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS). Scott has praised the program, crediting it for helping the city reach a 24% reduction in homicides, and a 34% reduction in non-fatal shootings in 2024 compared to 2023. According to the Mayor, GVRS "facilitates direct, sustained engagement with a small number of group-involved individuals who are the most likely to be the victim or perpetrator of violence." The program first launched in Baltimore's Western District in January 2022 and later expanded to the Southwestern, Central, and Eastern Districts. The city also implemented the Summer Youth Engagement Strategy. To help deter violence, the initiative established a curfew for city youth, along with specialized youth programming. Scott said that after implementing the program last summer, the number of shooting victims decreased by 66%, and the number of aggravated assault victims dropped by 31%. The programming includes 42 summer campsites through recreation and parks, and the return of the city's Rock the Block parties, midnight basketball, and parties at the Druid Hill Pool. In addition, hours at nine of the city's recreation centers throughout the city will be extended until 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday from June 20 until Aug. 16.
CBS News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Baltimore reports historic drop in homicide rates, with April hitting all-time low
Baltimore recorded the lowest number of monthly homicides in history this April, according to Mayor Brandon Scott. The city reported five homicide cases in April 2025. The historic drop comes as the city continues to see dramatic decreases in violent crime. According to the mayor, homicides are down 31.6% and nonfatal shootings are down 27% compared to May 2024. Since 2020, homicides have dropped by 40% and nonfatal shootings declined by 43%, according to data from the mayor's office. Over the past year, crime rates have continued to drop across all categories, including robberies, carjackings and arson. "This is progress, but we aren't stopping to celebrate," Scott said. "Five homicides in April is still five too many — and we will continue to use all tools at our disposal to prevent violence and save lives. Baltimore deserves nothing less." Maryland leaders react to Baltimore's drop in crime Maryland leaders took to social media to share their reactions to Baltimore's historic dip in crime. "Baltimore has seen one of the most significant drops in violent crime in the country," Gov. Wes Moore said in a post. "We have more work to do, but the data is clear: Our approach to improving public safety is working." Rep. Kweisi Mfume said he would continue to push for federal resources to assist in the crime prevention effort. Mfume's continued push comes as Mayor Scott said the Trump administration's proposed cuts to federal public safety grants could stifle the city's progress in decreasing crime. The mayor called on the administration to reverse about $200 million in funding cuts that he said support law enforcement, victims of crimes and community partners. Addressing juvenile crime in Baltimore With crime trends on the decline, city leaders have highlighted investments to reduce juvenile crime. According to WJZ's gun violence tracker, instances of juveniles becoming victims of gun violence were down 22% in Baltimore City in 2024. However, juvenile arrests in the city rose by 146% in 2024, according to State's Attorney Ivan Bates. And a report from Maryland's Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit revealed that the number of minors in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Services increased in 2024. In an effort to deter juvenile crime, Mayor Scott unveiled his Summer Youth Engagement Strategy. The initiative activates a non-traditional curfew and a lineup of programs for young people in safe environments during the summer. According to the mayor's office, the strategy has helped reduce youth violence and victimization over the past two summers. After 16 teens were charged for a string of violent crimes in late April, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said, "It is incredibly frustrating to see young people involved in violent crimes across our city." "We cannot arrest our way out of this problem," Worley added. "We need accountability, early intervention, and real support for our youth to break this cycle and build a safer future for Baltimore."
CBS News
23-04-2025
- CBS News
Baltimore Mayor Scott to unveil summer youth engagement strategy
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott is set to unveil his summer youth engagement strategy Wednesday afternoon. Similar to the city's plan for spring break, the plan will help to deter violence in the city. Ahead of spring break, the city deployed youth engagement teams to establish a presence in high-traffic areas where young people are likely to gather. Baltimore's Summer Youth Engagement Strategy launched for the first time in 2023. Since then, the city has seen significant drops in gun violence. The initiative involves a curfew for city youth, along with specialized youth programming. Baltimore youth engagement strategy and crime reduction The Youth Engagement Strategy is focused on reducing crime by offering activities for young people during spring and summer breaks. The initiative will operate during weekend evenings, including Sunday nights on holiday weekends, throughout the summer. Staff will focus on relationship-building with youth, conflict de-escalation, violence prevention, and resource provision. The city has also partnered with B-360, an organization that leverages dirt bike culture to encourage STEM education, whose downtown location will function as a youth center offering learning and tutoring services. Additional youth engagement partners have been activated, including For My Kidz, Redesigning Minds, The Movement Team, and The PEACE Team.
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.
