Top 10 Facts About Crime Rate And Murders In Baltimore

Top 10 Facts About Crime Rate And Murders In Baltimore

Baltimore is located in the U.S. state of Maryland and is the 4^th most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic. The city is the 30^th most populous in the United States, with an estimated population of 595,218 as of 2023. The town became an independent city by the Constitution of Maryland in 1851, with it being confirmed as the most populous independent city in the US.

Regarding living in Baltimore, the city has been ranked as notorious for its crime rates. The city is ranked above the national average. In 2015, violent crimes in Baltimore spiked after the murder of Freddie Gray, which happened on 19^th April 2015.

In 2019, Baltimore recorded three hundred and forty-eight homicides. These figures for homicides in Baltimore were a number second to the homicides recorded in 1993 when the population was at a high of 125,000. In 2009, there were 1,318,398 violent crimes in the US, with Baltimore recording violent crime rates higher than the national average.

Here are the Top 10 Facts About Crime Rate And Murders In Baltimore;

1. The City has One of the Highest Crime Rates in the US

Police are making an arrest. Author; Michael Johnson. Wikimedia

Several cities across the United States of America have significant concerns about crime, but Baltimore is at the top. Baltimore has one of the highest crime scenes in the United States.

The crime rates in Baltimore are significantly higher compared to the national average. It is ranked as the 23^rd most dangerous city in the world. Baltimore has a rate of 51 homicides per 100,000 population.

In 2015, the city recorded the highest crime rate in its history, as the rates were 52.5 per 100,000. This translated to three hundred and forty-four homicides. 93.3% of the victims were African-American. In 2021, the city recorded a violent crime rate of 1,859 per 100,000 residents.

2. Baltimore Recorded 305 Homicides which was Low but Still High Compared to Other Cities

The leaders and authorities of Baltimore have always worked hard to ensure crime rates in the city are low. However, the city still experiences high homicide cases, which is worrying.

In 2021, the city recorded low numbers of homicides, but these numbers were still high compared to other cities of similar size. Baltimore recorded three hundred and thirty-seven homicide cases. Again, the numbers were low compared to the previous year but high compared to other cities.

Also, read 10 Famous Murders in North Carolina.

3. Firearms were used Majorly in Committing the Homicides

A display of firearms. Author; Simonov. Wikimedia

The authorities have tried to solve the issues of what is causing homicides in the city. However, statistics and investigations in the town showed that homicides are committed using firearms.

Baltimore Sun investigation revealed that around 80% of the homicides committed were through gun violence. The rate of lethal shootings has also increased in Baltimore in the few years. In 2016, an average of one out of every two shootings in Baltimore was fatal in parts of the city, while on average was one in three shootings.

4. A Young Black Man’s Death in Police Custody Sparked More Crime in the City in 2015

In 2015, Baltimore was thrown into violent crimes, which increased after a particular incident. On 19^th April 2015, a young black man, Freddie Gray, died in police custody, leading, to riots and an increased crime wave. This resulted in more murders in the city.

By the end of 2015, Baltimore had recorded 344 homicide cases which was second high to the cases recorded in 1993 when the population was low. As of August 19^th, 2015, Baltimore had recorded 211 murders, equal to the total numbers witnessed in 2014.

5. There have been Allegations of Corruption, Brutality, and Racial Bias in the Baltimore Police Department

An arrest is being made. Author; Michael Johnson. Wikimedia

The Baltimore Police Department has been working hard to curb crime and violence in the city. However, the townspeople are not on the same book as the authorities during numerous allegations.

The trust between Baltimore Police Department and the community is down, with several allegations being put across. Allegations like corruption, brutality, and racial bias have been raised by the community and directed to the authorities.

6. High Poverty Rate in Baltimore has Contributed to Crime in the City

The prevalence of crime cases in Baltimore has contributed majorly to the high poverty rate in the city. In addition, numerous homicide cases in the city have been heavily concentrated within the small number of high-poverty neighborhoods.

Statistics showed that nearly 80% of the gun homicides witnessed in the city are committed in 25% of the neighborhoods. Sandtown-Winchester is one of the most problematic neighborhoods in Baltimore, where crime has always been high.

Read 10 Mysterious Facts about the Wonderland Murders.

7. Gang-related Crimes in Drug Territories have Contributed to a Rise of Violence in the City

The Eastcoast Bishop Bloods. Author; Mike mansion. Wikimedia

Other than the high poverty rate in some neighborhoods in Baltimore, another major contributor to violence in the city is gang-related in various drug territories. The city has been hit by the opioid epidemic, which has led to high violence.

People dealing in drugs, mainly narcotics, have contributed to the rise in crime in Baltimore, affecting the community directly. In addition, rival gang conflicts have also led to increased crime, even though the authorities are working to curb this crisis.

8. Leaders and Authorities of Baltimore have Come up with Several Crime Reduction Strategies

Increased crime in Baltimore has been concerning and always required urgent action. Various groups and organizations have devised different strategies to curb corruption in the city. The leaders and authorities of Baltimore are at the forefront of coming up with multiple solutions.

Some crime reduction strategies include increasing police presence and developing community engagement programs. This has been clear over the years, with the hopes of reducing crime in Baltimore being high.

9. The Community has been Involved Directly in Reducing Violence in the City

Peoples Power Assembly National Protest to STOP POLICE TERROR, RACISM & REPRESSION March along Greenmount Avenue at East Lafayette Street in Baltimore, Maryland. Author; Elvert Barnes. Wikimedia

Other than involving the leaders and authorities of Baltimore, the community has also been involved in working on reducing crime in the city. Grassroots organizations and community-led initiatives have been brought up to curb the city’s violence. As a result, positive changes are witnessed in the town even though the crime rate and violence have not decreased significantly.

10. Residents of the City Continue Living in Fear of Becoming Crime Victims

The initiatives the leaders and authorities brought up have been significant, but residents of the city are not yet convinced. It is believed that crime, violence, and homicides remain to be a considerable challenge in Baltimore.

Residents of the city still live in fear of becoming the next victims of crime. However, some residents have their means of ensuring that they live safely to avoid being victims of crimes in Baltimore.

Crime and violence might be a significant concern in Baltimore, but the city is an excellent place to visit and stay. The authorities, leaders, and community are working hand-in-hand to reduce the number of crimes in the city.

Read Highest Murders In U.S: Here are The Top 10 Dangerous Cities In 2022.