BALTIMORE, MD. (Friday, February 3, 2023) - Today, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott joined Governor Wes Moore, Attorney General Anthony Brown, and Baltimore State's Attorney Ivan Bates to discuss public safety strategy and partnership moving forward.

"It is important for us - especially as elected officials - to have candid conversations like this to share perspectives, exchange resources and create solutions that will benefit our residents right now and for generations to come," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "Public safety is our collective responsibility and, at a time when teamwork and coordination are needed more than ever, we are proud to have deep partnerships that will help drive this work forward."

This was the first time these leaders convened as a group to connect disparate law enforcement agencies and justice system components with the goal of improving public safety outcomes for city residents.

"A strong Baltimore is key to a thriving Maryland. Protecting our residents requires a collaborative effort, and this is just the beginning of our powerful partnership," said Governor Wes Moore. "Together we will restore our communities, restore faith in our criminal justice system, and provide access to support services and interventions that will improve the overall quality of life for all Marylanders."

Leaders discussed their respective roles in the criminal justice system, the types of interventions needed in our communities, the importance of constitutional enforcement, and how to reduce recidivism by eliminating barriers for returning citizens to reenter society.

"Today, we have the opportunity to reimagine public safety and generate new strategies that address the need for Marylanders to feel safe," said Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. "We should not rely solely on investigating and prosecuting our way to safer neighborhoods. We must invest in juvenile diversionary programs to address the underlying needs and challenges that our communities face. State leaders need to join together, form strong partnerships, and leverage their assets to make real, impactful change in the social and judicial systems that protect and strengthen Maryland communities."

This forum provided an intimate space for leaders to lay out their plans to equitably address concerns, hold one another accountable, and strategize on how to sustain these critical partnerships in order to sustainably reduce violent crime.

"Today's public safety summit is yet another example of my administration's continued collaboration with leadership across all levels of government," said State's Attorney Ivan J. Bates. "Much like the town hall I hosted during my first week as State's Attorney, this is an opportunity for local leaders to collaborate with the community to achieve the necessary goal of a safer Baltimore for everyone. Effective and efficient prosecution of crime is just one piece of the public safety puzzle. By combining the resources of the Mayor's Office, the Attorney General's Office, and the Governor's Office, we can make an impactful change that will be felt in every neighborhood by every resident."

In 2021, in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement (MONSE), Mayor Scott released the City's first-ever five-year Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan. Inter-agency collaboration and building key partnerships are essential components of this strategy.