I've lived in Baltimore since 1970. We had a health commissioner who proposed this effective strategy 20 years ago, but mayors ignored it or paid lip service. Brandon Scott has followed through with great results.
Right now, I'm not informed enough to answer. The police have killed 3 people in the last few weeks, and some of these situations seem to be damning for the officers involved. But, overall, I can't evaluate the PD performance because my attention is on global and national affairs.
This is an important topic and potentially a good lesson for Democrats willing to listen and not simply accept Republican framing on the incidence of violent crime in the United States. We don't have to keep throwing money at municipal police forces and arming them like they're military units.
Clearly the militarization of local police has not served as a deterrent for violent crimes. As it is often a small percentage who commit the majority of violent crimes, addressing community needs, and, different interventions than “suicide by police” or incarceration, are required. It may take time but our communities, urban, suburban and rural, are all worthy of these interventions.
The militarization of the police nationwide has encouraged officers to think of the public as adversaries or potential terrorists undeserving of protection. Their training is much like that of the military tasked with urban occupation and defeating asymmetrical warfare. (Think Iraq as an example.) Just look at the equipment and vehicles they've been issued. The infiltration of right wing groups like Oath Keepers, J6ers, white supremacists, and others makes it even worse because they want trouble. Most communities don't need or want this kind of "policing."
Baltimore resident here! An underdiscussed aspect of this is having Wes Moore as a supportive partner in the Governor's Mansion rather than Hogan who was often outright antagonistic. Hogan left a large number of parole officer positions in Baltimore vacant (a state-appointed position, rather than city-appointed). Since a disproportionate number of murders are by people on parole, Wes Moore merely doing his job and hiring people for open positions likely had a nonzero effect on the decline in murders. When Annapolis and Baltimore work together, positive change is possible!
Fantastic! And such common sense stuff. The closer you get to the problem, the more you understand how to fix it. These guys, their agencies and staffs and the related organizations, are all on the ground. They are not legislating rules, laws and punishments from afar. That last part: 2% of the community is responsible for the majority of problems, is the real focus. As a former NYC high school teacher I can tell you that cutting down the flowers to get to the weeds is the wrong approach. Get into the field and pick out those weeds, give the flowers space to grow.
How wonderful to see a article open with a focus on Governor Wes Moore and Mayor Brandon Scott--my heart relaxes and I feel open to learning more good news!
Yes, the fear and paranoia promulgated by Donald Trump and brutish thugs like Hogan continue to stoke more fear and paranoia. What a cruel and boring world Trump has brought to us. Then, add in Elon Musk with his literally insane and irrational actions throughout our government. Our government has developed organizations that all in the civilized world can be proud of: Voice of America, USAID, Affordable Health Care, Social Security networks for those in need (aging and diminished health)--all of which Musk has bespoiled.
Thank you Popular Information, and, here, Rebecca Crosby, for your investigation of what helps our government to flourish. How can we add to what is helping our government succeed?
I live in Chicago where we are using a similar set of strategies. Homicides are down about 24%- although they are still absurdly high. A major driver of gun violence in Chicago is gang warfare, a problem that we have never been able to contain.
It would seem that there is a correlation between giving people hope by lending a hand and showing someone cares reduces violent crime. Thank you Maryland and Baltimore for the stark contrast between the policies of the administration in in Washington today and what is considered "woke" by them.
What a great article to read this morning.DC resident here, but I’ve always loved Baltimore. Will be sharing this on my social media to get some positive stories out in the news.
The reason this worked is because it took the ACTUAL nature of REAL human beings into account and sought to work with how REAL humans react in the REAL world to incentives offered them. In other words, it was built around EMAPTHY.
Of course our destructative friends do not have access to the empathy with which they were born because it was beaten out of them by those who raised them, verbally or physically, typically by uncaring, insensitive, violent parenting or similar actions of other authority figures in their lives.
Lacking empathy, the only defect they see in people who are struggling is that those people aren't enough like those destructatives, and just need to "straighten up and fly right." Their only response to people who do not do so is ever greater levels of "law and order," which, because they do not address the problems which create people given to criminal behavior, never helps, but only create more of what they're trying to get rid of.
It's refreshing to see what's happening in Baltimore, but, of course, Trump and the Republicans are already doing everything in their power to be sure that such efforts are being dismantled, nationwide and will wipe out as much of Baltimore's efforts as they can, even though statistics clearly show that whenever destructatives are in charge, the rate of major crimes goes up (and continues to be higher in red-controlled areas), whereas when Democrats are are in charge, those same rates go down (even though law enforcement remains essentially the same throughout).
"The Baltimore Police Department has seen improvements in its homicide clearance rate, with increased arrests for both homicides and non-fatal shootings.
The department has also focused on addressing juvenile crime, with initiatives aimed at reducing juvenile victimization and engaging youth in positive activities.
Collaborative efforts with the U.S. Attorney's Office have led to strategic prosecutions of repeat violent offenders and reduced unnecessary incarceration"
No, this is the opposite of the what the "de-fund the police left" demanded.
That was my first thought, Mary, but since the gun lobby has a death grip on US politics, communities need to find ways around the obscene gun worship that has seized parts of the country. And this article shows one way around. And let's all repeat to whoever will listen and to those who won't: the leading cause of death in children is guns.
I've lived in Baltimore since 1970. We had a health commissioner who proposed this effective strategy 20 years ago, but mayors ignored it or paid lip service. Brandon Scott has followed through with great results.
Has the PD been a help or hindrance?
Right now, I'm not informed enough to answer. The police have killed 3 people in the last few weeks, and some of these situations seem to be damning for the officers involved. But, overall, I can't evaluate the PD performance because my attention is on global and national affairs.
This is an important topic and potentially a good lesson for Democrats willing to listen and not simply accept Republican framing on the incidence of violent crime in the United States. We don't have to keep throwing money at municipal police forces and arming them like they're military units.
Clearly the militarization of local police has not served as a deterrent for violent crimes. As it is often a small percentage who commit the majority of violent crimes, addressing community needs, and, different interventions than “suicide by police” or incarceration, are required. It may take time but our communities, urban, suburban and rural, are all worthy of these interventions.
The militarization of the police nationwide has encouraged officers to think of the public as adversaries or potential terrorists undeserving of protection. Their training is much like that of the military tasked with urban occupation and defeating asymmetrical warfare. (Think Iraq as an example.) Just look at the equipment and vehicles they've been issued. The infiltration of right wing groups like Oath Keepers, J6ers, white supremacists, and others makes it even worse because they want trouble. Most communities don't need or want this kind of "policing."
Well but you ignore a big part of the success story it is more aggressive removal of the thugs.
What is your evidence?
Baltimore resident here! An underdiscussed aspect of this is having Wes Moore as a supportive partner in the Governor's Mansion rather than Hogan who was often outright antagonistic. Hogan left a large number of parole officer positions in Baltimore vacant (a state-appointed position, rather than city-appointed). Since a disproportionate number of murders are by people on parole, Wes Moore merely doing his job and hiring people for open positions likely had a nonzero effect on the decline in murders. When Annapolis and Baltimore work together, positive change is possible!
Great report, team. This should be at the forefront of national news.
I wholeheartedly agree! Positive, results based stories like what is happening in Baltimore need to be more attention!
Fantastic! And such common sense stuff. The closer you get to the problem, the more you understand how to fix it. These guys, their agencies and staffs and the related organizations, are all on the ground. They are not legislating rules, laws and punishments from afar. That last part: 2% of the community is responsible for the majority of problems, is the real focus. As a former NYC high school teacher I can tell you that cutting down the flowers to get to the weeds is the wrong approach. Get into the field and pick out those weeds, give the flowers space to grow.
Great analogy, teacher!
Who knew? Woke + compassion + education + opportunity = positive results!
Great report! Thank you PI!
How wonderful to see a article open with a focus on Governor Wes Moore and Mayor Brandon Scott--my heart relaxes and I feel open to learning more good news!
Yes, the fear and paranoia promulgated by Donald Trump and brutish thugs like Hogan continue to stoke more fear and paranoia. What a cruel and boring world Trump has brought to us. Then, add in Elon Musk with his literally insane and irrational actions throughout our government. Our government has developed organizations that all in the civilized world can be proud of: Voice of America, USAID, Affordable Health Care, Social Security networks for those in need (aging and diminished health)--all of which Musk has bespoiled.
Thank you Popular Information, and, here, Rebecca Crosby, for your investigation of what helps our government to flourish. How can we add to what is helping our government succeed?
I live in Chicago where we are using a similar set of strategies. Homicides are down about 24%- although they are still absurdly high. A major driver of gun violence in Chicago is gang warfare, a problem that we have never been able to contain.
And here is why this reporting is helpful: Chicago look to Baltimore for more paths to success. No one wants to live in fear and poverty.
I commend you for this stellar reporting. Good news on what works that we are unlikely to find elsewhere.
It would seem that there is a correlation between giving people hope by lending a hand and showing someone cares reduces violent crime. Thank you Maryland and Baltimore for the stark contrast between the policies of the administration in in Washington today and what is considered "woke" by them.
What a great article to read this morning.DC resident here, but I’ve always loved Baltimore. Will be sharing this on my social media to get some positive stories out in the news.
What awesome, much needed news!! Thank you all at Popular Information for all the great, timely reporting.
I really appreciate your reporting on these efforts to positively impact crime in Baltimore.
The reason this worked is because it took the ACTUAL nature of REAL human beings into account and sought to work with how REAL humans react in the REAL world to incentives offered them. In other words, it was built around EMAPTHY.
Of course our destructative friends do not have access to the empathy with which they were born because it was beaten out of them by those who raised them, verbally or physically, typically by uncaring, insensitive, violent parenting or similar actions of other authority figures in their lives.
Lacking empathy, the only defect they see in people who are struggling is that those people aren't enough like those destructatives, and just need to "straighten up and fly right." Their only response to people who do not do so is ever greater levels of "law and order," which, because they do not address the problems which create people given to criminal behavior, never helps, but only create more of what they're trying to get rid of.
It's refreshing to see what's happening in Baltimore, but, of course, Trump and the Republicans are already doing everything in their power to be sure that such efforts are being dismantled, nationwide and will wipe out as much of Baltimore's efforts as they can, even though statistics clearly show that whenever destructatives are in charge, the rate of major crimes goes up (and continues to be higher in red-controlled areas), whereas when Democrats are are in charge, those same rates go down (even though law enforcement remains essentially the same throughout).
Yeah... this is sure woke policing...
"The Baltimore Police Department has seen improvements in its homicide clearance rate, with increased arrests for both homicides and non-fatal shootings.
The department has also focused on addressing juvenile crime, with initiatives aimed at reducing juvenile victimization and engaging youth in positive activities.
Collaborative efforts with the U.S. Attorney's Office have led to strategic prosecutions of repeat violent offenders and reduced unnecessary incarceration"
No, this is the opposite of the what the "de-fund the police left" demanded.
The Root Cause of Gun Violence and Crime is GUNS.
Guns are the proximate cause. The root cause is a social system that emphasizes individualism and does not value social welfare.
That was my first thought, Mary, but since the gun lobby has a death grip on US politics, communities need to find ways around the obscene gun worship that has seized parts of the country. And this article shows one way around. And let's all repeat to whoever will listen and to those who won't: the leading cause of death in children is guns.