Baltimore, MD (January 1, 2025) – The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) reports significant progress in 2024, including double-digit reductions in gun violence. Homicides decreased by 23% (201 v. 261), and non-fatal shootings dropped by 34% (414 v. 635), building on 2023’s historic record for the largest single-year decline in homicides.

“Creating a safer Baltimore remains our top priority and I want to thank the dedicated men and women of the Baltimore Police Department for their intentional and relentless efforts to reduce crime in our great city,” said Commissioner Richard Worley. “We know very well that there is much more work to be done in building trust with our communities and we plan to build on these successes in partnership with all our stakeholders and community partners. Together we are united in building up our city and ensuring that residents feel safe and protected.”

In 2024, BPD achieved clearance rates above the national average for Part 1 crimes, including homicides (68%), non-fatal shootings (44%), robbery (37%), and aggravated assaults (69%).

All Part 1 crime categories decreased compared to 2023, except for rape. These reductions stem from strategic, multifaceted approaches such as consolidating District Detective Units under the Criminal Investigation Division, deploying specialized units to address emerging crime trends, and refining the daily crime calls and ComStat process. Efforts also focused on identifying and addressing the true drivers of crime, including groups and geographic hotspots.

“The progress we’re making in reducing gun violence in the City of Baltimore should be acknowledged for what it is: the result of collective work of Baltimoreans of all walks of life that love this city,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “In 2021, I outlined the city’s first-ever Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan, which brings together law enforcement, community violence intervention work, and community partners to build public safety the right way. The historic reductions we’ve seen in 2023 and, now again, in 2024 are the direct result of that work and the deep commitment that everyone involved has shown. I am deeply proud of this progress, but it will never be enough until no single Baltimorean loses their life to gun violence — and we will continue working towards that goal every single day.”

In addition to historic drops in gun violence, BPD has made significant progress under the Consent Decree, achieving 85% compliance with its provisions, including full and effective compliance in key areas:

• First Amendment Protected Activity
• Prisoner Transport
• Officer Health and Wellness
• School Police
• Community Oversight Taskforce

2024 End-Year Key Highlights:

• Arrests: Overall arrests increased by 14%, including a 29% rise in homicide arrests, a 60% increase in misdemeanor drug arrests, and a 46% increase in auto theft arrests.

 

• Community Engagement: The Community Partnership Unit, in collaboration with the City Administrator's Office and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), organized 26 interagency “blitzes” across all nine districts to tackle environmental issues contributing to crime (e.g., illegal dumping, vacant buildings, abandoned vehicles, and lighting), while providing human services such as homeless outreach and youth engagement.

 

• Recruitment: The Recruitment and Application Section hired 160 Police Officer Trainees and 14 Cadets, streamlining the hiring process and upgrading marketing campaigns to attract more applicants.

 

• Juvenile Safety: Juvenile victims of homicides and non-fatal shootings decreased by 74%.

 

• Gun Seizures: Over 2,530 firearms, including 294 ghost guns, were seized.

 

• Crime Lab Efficiency: The Crime Lab reduced its overall backlog by over 55%, including eliminating delays in the Latent Print Unit and DNA testing of historical SAFE kits.

 

• Proactive Policing: Proactive enforcement activities rose by 68%, with foot patrols and bike patrols increasing by 139% and 92%, respectively.

 

• Victim Services: The Victim Services Unit expanded its team with 10 new hires, enabling the unit to assist nearly 1,700 people – to include victims of a broader range of crime types and their family members.

 

• Childcare Support: BPD launched the Childcare Support and Accessibility Project, providing financial allowances to assist 100 members with childcare expenses.

 

• Civilian Investigators: The department has 23 Civilian Investigators to support investigations in Homicides, Public Integrity, Backgrounds, and other areas.

 

• National Model: Nearly 40 agencies from across the U.S. and World have visited BPD to learn policing best practices and gain insightful information about our policies, programs and operations.

 

 

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BPD Mission Statement

The Baltimore Police Department is dedicated to upholding the Constitution and enforcing laws in a fair, impartial, and ethical manner. We commit to creating and maintaining a culture of service that builds trust and legitimacy in all communities, values the sanctity of human life, and provides for the safety and well-being of all.