Baltimore Police Department consent decree progress
A federal judge terminated three more sections of the Baltimore Police Department's consent decree on July 3, 2026, including First Amendment Protected Activity and Community Oversight Task Force, bringing the total removed sections to five. As of July 3, 2026, the department is compliant with over 83% of the decree's requirements. The BPD reported a 23% decrease in homicides and a 2.5% decrease in non-fatal shootings as of July 1, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, with a new paper in June 2026 attributing a 25% drop in homicides below national trends to Baltimore's targeted violence reduction strategy. This progress occurs amid an ongoing internal investigation within the BPD and the indictment of four officers in April 2026 on misconduct charges related to incidents in 2024 and 2025.
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July 2026 — 3 developments
Maryland AG investigating fatal police shooting amid BPD consent decree progress
The Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General is investigating a fatal police-involved shooting. This investigation is proceeding under an agreement that allows it to continue while the Baltimore Police Department meets its consent decree obligations.
Baltimore Police Department: Three more consent decree sections terminated, 83% compliance reached
A federal judge has terminated three more sections of the Baltimore Police Department's consent decree, including First Amendment Protected Activity and Community Oversight Task Force, bringing the total removed sections to five. The department is now compliant with over 83% of the decree's requirements.
Baltimore Police Department reports progress on consent decree with reduced crime
As of July 1, 2026, the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) has reported a 23% decrease in homicides and a 2.5% decrease in non-fatal shootings compared to the same period in 2025, indicating progress in its federal consent decree. In April 2026, a federal judge terminated three sections of the decree due to sustained compliance. The department has also improved the quality of its misconduct investigations.
June 2026 — 1 developments
Baltimore Violence Reduction Strategy Credited with Significant Drop in Homicides
A new paper released in June 2026 found that Baltimore's targeted strategy for violence reduction has been directly responsible for a dramatic decrease in violent crime, with homicides dropping 25% below national trends. The strategy focused on high-risk individuals and groups responsible for shootings. This comes as the Baltimore Police Department requests its largest budget in over a decade for fiscal year 2027.
May 2026 — 1 developments
Baltimore Police Internal Probe Expands Amid Misconduct Allegations and Reforms
An internal investigation within the Baltimore Police Department is expanding in May 2026, with officers' phones reportedly confiscated and emails reviewed. This development follows the indictment of four officers in late March 2026 on misconduct-related charges. Additionally, a federal judge terminated three sections of the BPD's 2017 consent decree in April 2026.
April 2026 — 2 developments
Four Baltimore Police Officers Indicted on Misdemeanor Charges
Four Baltimore police officers were indicted on misdemeanor charges, including misconduct in office, assault, and making false statements. These charges are related to incidents that occurred in 2024 and 2025.
Baltimore City sees significant decrease in homicides, non-fatal shootings, and carjackings in Q1 2026
As of the first quarter of 2026, Baltimore City has experienced a 15.6% decrease in homicides and a 9.09% decrease in non-fatal shootings compared to the previous year. Carjackings are also down by 44.44%. This trend projects a significant decrease in homicides over four years if current trends continue.
March 2026 — 3 developments
Baltimore records nine homicides in early 2026, Mayor Scott remains optimistic
Baltimore recorded nine homicides in the first 20 days of 2026, an increase from the six homicides during the same period in 2025. Despite this early rise, Mayor Brandon Scott remains optimistic about further reducing the murder rate this year.
Baltimore experiences early 2026 crime increase in several categories after historically low 2025 homicides
Baltimore has seen an increase in certain crime categories in early 2026, including larceny of vehicle parts, shoplifting, stolen vehicles, burglaries, and robberies, compared to the same period in 2025. This trend follows a year of historically low homicide numbers in 2025.
Sandtown-Winchester community celebrates over a year without a homicide
The Sandtown-Winchester community has celebrated over a year without a homicide as of March 25, 2026, marking 374 days since March 15, 2025. This milestone contributes to the overall reduction in homicides and non-fatal shootings in Baltimore, which have fallen nearly 60% since 2021.
January 2026 — 4 developments
State's Attorney Ivan Bates attributes homicide reduction to focus on repeat violent offenders
Baltimore city prosecutors attribute the significant reduction in homicides to a strong focus on repeat violent offenders and aggressive sentencing strategies, with State's Attorney Ivan Bates playing a key role.
Baltimore sees largest homicide rate drop among 35 cities, Council on Criminal Justice reports
A report by the Council on Criminal Justice indicates Baltimore experienced the largest drop in homicide rates among 35 cities from 2019 to 2025, with a 60% decrease. This contributed to a national trend where the average reported homicide rate in 2025 was 21% lower than in 2024.
Baltimore records first two homicides of 2026
Baltimore recorded its first two homicides of 2026, following a year of historic crime reduction in 2025.
Baltimore records lowest homicide rate in nearly 50 years in 2025
Baltimore recorded its lowest homicide rate in nearly 50 years in 2025, with homicides falling from 194 in 2024 to 133 in 2025, a reduction of over 30%. Non-fatal shootings also decreased from 413 in 2024 to 311 in 2025. The Baltimore Police Department's year-end report also noted significant decreases in carjackings and commercial robberies.
December 2025 — 1 developments
Mayor Scott announces continued decline in homicides and non-fatal shootings through November 2025
Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced that homicides and non-fatal shootings continued to decline through November 2025. Compared to the previous year, homicides were down 29.8% and non-fatal shootings were down 25.2%. The 127 homicides recorded by this date represented the fewest since at least 1970.
November 2025 — 1 developments
Baltimore reports significant decrease in homicides and non-fatal shootings by November 2025
As of November 3, 2025, Baltimore reported a 31.7% decrease in homicides and a 22% decline in non-fatal shootings compared to the same period in the previous year. The city recorded 112 homicides and 270 non-fatal shootings year-to-date, with Mayor Brandon Scott highlighting the effectiveness of the Group Violence Reduction Strategy.
July 2025 — 1 developments
Baltimore City reports double-digit reductions in gun violence mid-2025
Baltimore City's mid-year crime report for 2025 showed continued double-digit reductions in gun violence, including a 22% decrease in homicides (68 in 2025 vs. 88 in 2024) and a 19% decrease in non-fatal shootings (164 in 2025 vs. 204 in 2024).
May 2025 — 1 developments
Baltimore City Records New Low of Five Homicides in April 2025
Baltimore City recorded a new record low of five homicides in April 2025, the lowest since 1970, bringing the total for 2025 to 39 by April, which is also the lowest for the start of any recorded year.
January 2025 — 1 developments
Baltimore Police Report Double-Digit Reductions in Gun Violence for 2024
The Baltimore Police Department released its 2024 Year-End Crime Report, highlighting double-digit reductions in gun violence, with homicides decreasing by 23% and non-fatal shootings dropping by 34% compared to 2023.
July 2024 — 1 developments
Baltimore County announces significant decline in homicides and non-fatal shootings
Baltimore County announced significant declines in homicides and non-fatal shootings for the first half of 2024, with homicides down over 31% and non-fatal shootings down over 30% year-over-year.