Something We Can All Take Away From Baltimore’s Drop in Violence
- Ashlee Cox
- Aug 22
- 2 min read
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the gap between perception and reality when it comes to public safety. In Washington, D.C., where I worked and spent some of my most formative years, the narrative around crime has become increasingly volatile. Calls for federal control of the Metropolitan Police and deployment of the National Guard show just how easily fear can become political theater. The danger here is not just about bad policy, it’s about the lasting harm caused when leaders try to impose control rather than address the roots of community violence.
That’s why I was moved to read about Baltimore’s progress. In recent years, Baltimore has faced its own struggles with violence, but the city has leaned into a different approach. Under Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore launched a Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan that recognizes violence not as a single issue to “crack down” on, but as a complex problem rooted in inequality, disconnection, and lack of opportunity.
Building with Intention
What makes Baltimore’s plan stand out is the intentionality and care behind it. The framework is not just about reducing numbers in the short-term, it’s about reshaping the systems that fuel violence in the first place. Instead of doubling down on outside enforcement, Baltimore focused on:
Partnerships for smarter tools – Collaborating with Everytown for Gun Safety, the city launched a first-of-its-kind data portal that provides near real-time insights into crime gun trends. This allows leaders to act with precision instead of assumptions.
Community-led dialogue – The city partnered with the Baltimore Community Mediation Center to facilitate conversations with residents around the Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS). These aren’t box-checking town halls; they’re structured dialogues where community members help shape the approach and ensure accountability.
Holistic prevention – From youth programming to public health initiatives, Baltimore’s plan recognizes that safety grows from opportunity, belonging, and trust, not just policing.
Why This Matters for All of Us
Too often, cities facing violence resort to heavy-handed, and often out of touch, approaches: more police, outside enforcement, or even military intervention. These may create the appearance of order, but more often they exacerbate existing grievances and spark deeper distrust.
Baltimore’s example shows us a different path. It reminds us that lasting safety can only be built in step with earning and protecting community trust. When residents feel heard, when they have a say in shaping solutions, and when leaders are willing to partner strategically and locally, progress is possible, even against the backdrop of entrenched challenges.
A Community-Rooted Takeaway
At Community-Rooted, I believe change doesn’t come from imposing solutions, it comes from building them together. Baltimore’s story highlights three lessons we can all carry forward:
Frameworks matter – Change requires structure, intention, care, and accountability.
Partnerships amplify impact – Collaboration across sectors creates stronger, more sustainable results.
Trust is non-negotiable – Communities must not only be consulted but centered in the process.
Whether in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., or anywhere around the world, the call is the same: if we want safe, thriving communities, we must invest in approaches that honor local voices and build trust at every step.
Source inspiration: NPR – Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott on Low Crime Rates
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