Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates has credited an aggressive strategy of targeting repeat violent offenders and illegal gun crime with a significant drop in homicides and shootings. His office has sent 2,129 repeat offenders to prison, doubling the number under the previous administration, and reported a 22% decline in homicides compared to the prior year. Bates emphasized the need for accountability, stating that the city had endured over 300 murders annually for eight years, a statistic he described as ‘a terrible number to have.’ Under the new strategy, repeat violent offenders face mandatory minimum sentences of five years without the possibility of parole. This approach has led to a 64% closure rate for homicide cases, 44% for non-fatal shootings, and an overall drop in non-fatal shootings by 19%. The data also shows that homicides fell by 23% in 2024, with non-fatal shootings declining by 34%. Bates has also highlighted the role of collaboration with state and federal agencies, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s deployment of state police and possible federal support from President Donald Trump’s proposal to use National Guard forces in high-crime areas.
Bates’ approach is being contrasted with progressive prosecutors in other parts of the country who have embraced more lenient policies, aiming to address systemic inequities by reducing incarceration rates for marginalized communities. However, Bates argued that the victims of violence, including many African American residents, deserve a right to safety regardless of their background. He stressed that the issue transcended political divides, stating, ‘It wasn’t a Democrat issue, it wasn’t a Republican issue, it was a people issue.’ His office’s efforts have not only focused on prosecution but also on collaboration with federal and state agencies, including the National Guard proposal floated by President Donald Trump, which may provide additional support for crime reduction in cities like Baltimore. With homicides dropping by 23% in 2024 and non-fatal shootings down 34%, Bates’ strategy appears to be yielding results, though challenges remain as the city continues to grapple with systemic violence and the broader implications of such a policing approach.