Baltimore has significantly reduced gun violence by employing individuals with criminal records through its Safe Streets program, credited with a 45% decline in gun deaths over the last six years. This initiative, which focuses on hiring those with firsthand experience of the city’s violence, places “trusted messengers” in high-risk areas to mediate conflicts and provide resources like job training and support.
As a result, Brooklyn—a neighborhood greatly affected by violence—recently marked 472 days without a homicide. Mayor Brandon Scott emphasizes that understanding the community’s issues requires insights from those who have lived them, challenging traditional law enforcement methods in the process. While community members acknowledge progress, they also stress the ongoing need for further improvement in their neighborhoods.
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