By Tashi McQueen,
AFRO Political Writer,
tmcqueen@afro.com
Many gathered for Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s 2024 State of the City Address at Baltimore Center Stage on March 25. In it, he highlighted his efforts to implement gun reform and lower Baltimore’s homicide rates.
“Now is the time to double down, not to pull back or return to the failed, broken policies of the past,” said Scott.
The mayor first touted his accomplishments in decreasing the number of homicides in Baltimore by 20 percent in 2023.
“It [was] the first time Baltimore had [fewer] than 300 homicides a year in nearly a decade,” said Scott. “This year, we’re building on top of that reduction. It is not yet enough – it will never be enough until we do not lose a single one of our neighbors to violence.”
Scott said that his administration will “remain focused on quality of life crimes,” to include auto theft and carjackings.
“We know that much of the problem is due to the proliferation of guns on our streets. Small, everyday conflicts escalate into horrific violence in the presence of too many guns,” he said. “We’ve seen it too many times, including last summer after the Brooklyn mass shooting.”
The Brooklyn Homes mass shooting occurred last summer at a large, unmonitored block party that left two dead and 28 injured.
“Alongside all of our law enforcement partners, we are going after guns in our communities, focusing on everyone from those who pull the trigger to those who supply the weapon,” said Scott. “Last year, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) recovered over 2,900 guns, including hundreds of ghost guns. So far, they’ve seized 596 guns this year – an 11 percent increase – including 86 ghost guns.”
Scott’s administration recently reached a settlement in its lawsuit against Polymer80, a gun manufacturing company that sells gun kits. The settlement effectively secured $1.2 million in damages and prohibited Polymer80’s advertisements in Maryland and sales to Maryland residents.
Though he primarily focused on his accomplishments in public safety, he also spoke about how he has and will continue to invest in Baltimore’s youth in 2024.
“With the success of our Squeegee Collaborative—which has reduced squeegee-related incidents by 85 percent—sidestep youth diversion and last year’s ‘Bmore This Summer’ youth engagement strategy, we know what works,” said Scott. “Young people themselves told us what they wanted to see: teen pool parties, bringing back midnight basketball, block parties from back in the day and launching new activities. This summer, it will all be back.”
A few protestors briefly interrupted his address. They were promptly removed, but not before the crowd shouted “four more years.”
Tensions are boiling with Maryland’s primary, May 14, right around the corner and Scott’s time as mayor on the line, but State Sen. Cory McCray (D-Dist. 45) said this is to be expected.
“Good debate is not a bad thing,” said McCray. “There has to be some push and pull. I push and pull on my mayor all the time. If we’re not holding him accountable, we’re not going to be the best team that we can be.”
City Council members and Maryland leaders commented on the night.
“I thought it was a good speech,” said Councilman Zeke Cohen (D-Dist. 01). “I believe the focus needs to be on delivering great city services and continuing to reduce violence across Baltimore. We still have a long way to go.”
McCray said he appreciated Scott’s speech and is proud of his work thus far.
“As a son of Baltimore I am proud of the mayor at the moment,” he said. “We have to make sure that we are talking to public safety as the first priority all the time.”
He added, “that’s what our constituents,” neighbors and family “want to hear.”
Tashi McQueen is a Report For America corps member.
