Baltimore steps into the new year riding on the crest of a momentous achievement in public safety, as 2025 marked its lowest homicide rate on record for nearly half a century. Data released show a significant fall from 194 homicides in 2024 to 133 in 2025, along with a dip in non-fatal shootings from 413 to 311. Public figures and community leaders are crediting cooperation and on-the-ground initiatives for this downward trend in violent crime.
Erricka Bridgeford, a peace advocate, relayed her long-standing hope to see violence recede in her time. “I kept saying if I saw the murder rate go up so high in my lifetime that I was going to see it come down in my lifetime,” she stated, as reported by WBAL-TV. Joining this sentiment, Bishop Kevia Elliott from We Our Us, underscored the collaborative spirit that has contributed to the change, saying, “Now, we see when we’re working together, what it means.”
The reduction in violent crime isn’t the only statistic to shift; youth crime also saw a decrease by more than 11% in 2025. Programs aimed at engaging and supporting young people have been highlighted as a key part of the approach to enhancing public safety. Criminal activity, often a manifestation of deeper societal issues, seems to be retreating in the face of concerted community and government efforts, according to city officials…