Posted on 07/20/24
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore, MD - July 20, 2024 - In Baltimore City, 106 people have been killed in 2024.
The city is on pace yet again to see less than 300 homicides.
Some are optimistic the number could even be less than 200.
One community is hoping their number stays at zero.
"We're the largest community in Baltimore City with zero homicides," said Doc Cheatham.
Doc Cheatham is president of the Matthew Henson community in the Western district.
He says they've reduced their own homicide rate without any help from the city.
"So, we created our own crime plan and no one in Baltimore City has a bigger community and lower crime than we do," he said.
Mayor Brandon Scott credits the city's Group Violence Reduction Strategy for the drop in homicides.
"The residents of Baltimore should understand this program works and its why we are having a historic reduction in homicides in Baltimore period," Mayor Brandon Scott said.
Right now most every major city is seeing reductions in homicide rates this year, leaving some to question if GVRS can really take the credit in Baltimore.
"We were up so high during the pandemic that there was no place to go but down," Dr. Christopher Herrmann said.
Some point to Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates and his offices no nonsense take on crime, a change in mentality from the previous administration.
“So, there is a real correlation between my office coming in putting trigger pullers in jail and seeing a dramatic drop," Bates said.
Bates partnership with U.S. Attorney for Maryland Erek Barron many say is also making a difference.
"It's very easy for the mayor who's in a political bubble, and not in and out of courtrooms and not in and out of jail and the street to think his policies are working, but the bottom line is the prosecution of gun cases and the incarceration of illegal gun offenders on the federal side that's what making all the difference," Jeremy Eldridge said.
Last summer after Barron announced his 'Al Capone' style of prosecution and Bates took office there was no spike in summer crime.
Even Governor Wes Moore acknowledged the partnership is working.
“It’s crucial. You do not get the kind of numbers and reductions without a proper relationship with city hall and the state’s attorney," he said.