Mayors of Baltimore, Chicago meet to discuss holistic approach to combatting violent crime
Updated: 11:39 AM EDT Oct 27, 2025
The mayors of Baltimore and Chicago met Monday morning to discuss their cities’ holistic approaches to combating the roots of crime.Watch David Collins’ updates on WBAL-TV 11 News at Noon, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11.Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson visited Baltimore on a fact-finding mission, getting a public briefing about Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s five-year plan to reduce violence.Baltimore’s violence reduction plan, unveiled in 2021, is based on three pillars: A public health approach, community engagement and interagency coordination.”All of this works together. That’s why we have to understand there has to be a comprehensive approach to this. This is not a ‘one size fits all’ (approach), but it’s also not a ‘one solution to a problem’ thing,” Scott said.Chicago has had several variations of violence interrupter programs. The current form has only been in operation for a couple of years, and Chicago is now doing something similar to Baltimore with a goal of reducing poverty.Johnson said Baltimore’s model confirms he’s on the right track.”What we are demonstrating is there is an approach to public safety that doesn’t involve armed, masked men sticking long guns in the faces of poor people and sending Black Hawk helicopters into the night to terrorize communities,” Johnson said. “The big difference is not amongst us. It’s, unfortunately, the lack of support we are getting from the federal government.”Both cities are seeing dramatic reductions in violent crime. Scott is currently working on the next phase of his crime-fighting plan.This report will be updated.
BALTIMORE —
The mayors of Baltimore and Chicago met Monday morning to discuss their cities’ holistic approaches to combating the roots of crime.
Watch David Collins’ updates on WBAL-TV 11 News at Noon, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson visited Baltimore on a fact-finding mission, getting a public briefing about Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s five-year plan to reduce violence.
Baltimore’s violence reduction plan, unveiled in 2021, is based on three pillars: A public health approach, community engagement and interagency coordination.
“All of this works together. That’s why we have to understand there has to be a comprehensive approach to this. This is not a ‘one size fits all’ (approach), but it’s also not a ‘one solution to a problem’ thing,” Scott said.
Chicago has had several variations of violence interrupter programs. The current form has only been in operation for a couple of years, and Chicago is now doing something similar to Baltimore with a goal of reducing poverty.
Johnson said Baltimore’s model confirms he’s on the right track.
“What we are demonstrating is there is an approach to public safety that doesn’t involve armed, masked men sticking long guns in the faces of poor people and sending Black Hawk helicopters into the night to terrorize communities,” Johnson said. “The big difference is not amongst us. It’s, unfortunately, the lack of support we are getting from the federal government.”
Both cities are seeing dramatic reductions in violent crime. Scott is currently working on the next phase of his crime-fighting plan.
This report will be updated.