BALTIMORE, MD – The rate of shootings and murders is increasing in the city of Baltimore and 2022 is off to a worse start for the city than the record-breaking murder rate increase of 2021. In January of 2022, 36 people were murdered across the city. That’s compared to 28 in January of 2021. Non-fatal shootings are also on the rise. In 2021, there were 47 non-fatal shootings in January. This year, there were 59.
On January 19th, four men were shot, including a Baltimore Safe Streets Worker.
“Baltimore, enough is enough. What happened tonight was a horrific tragedy. We cannot and will not allow violence to continue to plague our city,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Our Safe Streets workers put their lives on the line day in and day out because they believe in a better future for our city – a future we all should believe in.”
Each week in Baltimore seems more deadly than the one before. Mayor Scott says the problem is an all-hands on deck and called for the people of Baltimore to take to the streets and stop the violence after six people were killed, seven were shot and 25 were robbed last weekend.
“Baltimore, we must be better,” said Scott. “The level of senseless violence occurring across our city is sickening. I met with police leadership Monday evening to ensure that we continue to focus and further our coordinated efforts on those who continue to carry out acts of violence in our city to reduce violent crime.”
“It will take all of us, every single resident in Baltimore, rolling up their sleeves and getting in this fight to curb the current cycle of violence and bring about sustained reductions in violence across our city,” the mayor added.