Protecting Historic Violence Reduction Gains in Baltimore

Baltimore has been garnering national attention for its historic reductions in homicides and nonfatal shootings, progress now under threat. CCJR has been vocal in the media and submitted testimony in December to the Baltimore City Council speaking to the importance of partnerships in protecting this work.

 

In her testimony, Executive Director Heather Warnken emphasized that these gains were “fueled by unprecedented partnership and investment–at the city, state, and until recently, federal levels–in treating violence as a public health issue and building a coordinated ecosystem of responses.” Maintaining strong interagency collaboration and investment in community-based strategies is critical, and requiring “mutual respect, shared responsibility, and clear roles” between law enforcement and community-based organizations and partners. Read more here.