Council President Scott’s Bill Requires Regular, Comprehensive Crime Plan

Council President Scott’s Bill Requires
Regular, Comprehensive Crime Plan

Legislation Requires City Agencies To Join BPD In Reducing Violent Crime

BALTIMORE, MD (September 23, 2019) — Council President Brandon M. Scott will introduce legislation at the City Council meeting on Monday, September 23 requiring Baltimore City agencies, coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, to develop, present, and publish a biennial violence reduction plan.

“The Baltimore Police Department cannot be expected to reduce crime alone. All of our agencies have a role to play in addressing gun violence,” said Council President Scott. “I will continue to advocate for a violence reduction strategy that treats violent crime as a public health issue and incorporates more city resources in the fight.”

The ordinance, titled “Biennial Comprehensive Crime Reduction Plan” (19-0451), requires the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice to present a comprehensive crime reduction strategy every other year to the Baltimore City Council on or before June 30. The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice would develop a strategy with a number of city and state agencies, from the Baltimore City Health Department to the Baltimore City Public School System to the State Department of Juvenile Services. 

The legislation also requires the comprehensive crime reduction strategy to include an analysis of criminal justice data, an assessment of holistic, non-policing efforts aimed at crime reduction, and the establishment of goals, priorities, and standards for crime reduction in Baltimore. 

The plan is required to be published online for public comment at least one month prior to submission to the City Council. All public comments received will become part of the plan considered by the Council.

“Before Commissioner Harrison presented a crime plan in July, our city went without one for two years, despite demands from the City Council when I served as Chair of the Public Safety Committee,” said Council President Scott. “This legislation seeks to avoid that situation in the future. It is our duty to ensure all of the resources at our disposal—from our Housing, Health, and Public Works Departments to our public schools and state criminal justice resources—are coordinated and working together in this fight for a safer Baltimore.” 

Members of the public can use the Council President’s Legislative and Policy Tracker to follow the policy process for this bill and other initiatives outlined in Council President Scott’s Legislative and Policy Agenda released in July 2019.

View the bill as drafted here.