Democrats have controlled Baltimore City for too long: Time for a change
Baltimore shows promise in reversing its deadly trend, with a potential decrease in the homicide rate for the first time since 2018. Despite a concerning rise in youth gun violence, recent weeks have seen city leaders highlighting a drop in both fatal and non-fatal shootings compared to 2022.
Reducing the homicide count has long been a contentious issue, with Mayor Brandon Scott’s 2020 campaign pledge to decrease it by 15% annually. In 2023, the elimination of the ‘summer spike’ under Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and U.S. Attorney Erek Barron’s strategy has contributed to the overall progress.
Mayor Scott introduced his budget proposal for 2024 earlier this year. Police funding remains flat, but certain community-based violence programs like the Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) are slated to expand.
While Mayor Scott attributes the drop in murder rates to his leadership, some citizens express the need for genuine change. They emphasize the importance of shifting party dynamics in office to bring about true policy transformation. Concerns arise about one-party rule hindering checks and balances, prompting a call for voters to consider alternatives beyond the Democratic party in the upcoming 2024 election.
The citizens advocate for a change that transcends the individual in power, emphasizing the need for new policies and a departure from the status quo. The call is for a meaningful shift in party representation, challenging the existing political landscape to ensure our votes are not taken for granted.
Christopher Anderson is a third-generation Baltimorean, a father of three, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, and a lifelong community advocate. He is currently a member of the Baltimore City Republican Central Committee. He has run for Congress and the Baltimore City Council.