HSI Baltimore, Maryland US Attorney’s Office celebrate the statewide reduction in violent crime in 2023

BALTIMORE – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore joined law enforcement partners, prosecutors and community leaders at a press conference hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland in Baltimore Jan. 4. HSI Baltimore’s Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris met with U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron to recognize the reduction in violent crime and gun crime throughout Baltimore in 2023.

Barron thanked federal, state and local law enforcement partners in the fight against violent crime in Maryland. The teamwork, community-based partnerships, and strategic law enforcement initiatives helped reduce homicides in Baltimore in 2023 by more than 20%.

“Going forward, we will continue investigating and prosecuting large RICO cases” Barron said, “but, we will also continue to employ strategic and preventative law enforcement measures — especially by using any legal means necessary to remove those who illegally possess or use guns in our communities.”

U.S. Attorney Barron also thanked community partners, such as ROCA Baltimore, whose mission is focused on violent crime prevention and intervention initiatives. He highlighted a joint public service announcement, through which the U.S. Attorney’s Office coordinated community walks and resource fairs for returning citizens.

“Together, we have achieved significant strides in reducing violent crime throughout the year 2023, and while just one life lost to violence in Baltimore is one too many, we remain optimistic about the collective progress made. The collaborative spirit, tireless dedication, and innovative approaches demonstrated by our prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement colleagues have played a pivotal role in creating safer communities for the residents of Baltimore,” said Maryland State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Ivan J. Bates. “We have collectively contributed to decreasing violent crime rates through strategic initiatives, community engagement, and diligent prosecution efforts. Our success in this endeavor is a testament to the collaborative strength of our justice system. It reflects the unity and determination that defines us as a community and highlights our shared commitment to public safety and a safer Baltimore for all.”

The law enforcement officials at the press conference renewed their commitment to community building, trust and violent crime prevention.

“Our efforts throughout our Maryland communities have resulted in a reduction of homicides in Baltimore, by 19% while non-fatal shootings are down almost 9%,” said Harris,” adding, “While we celebrate this success, we recognize that our work is far from over. We are committed to sustaining and expanding our efforts to further reduce violent gun crime in and around Baltimore in 2024."

To highlight the reduction in gun violence throughout the city, Barron mentioned recent victories enjoyed by the USAO and their law enforcement partners against violent criminals – many of which resulted in lengthy prison sentences for the criminals involved.

“This past year's almost 20% reduction in Baltimore homicides and 9% reduction in non-fatal shootings is a significant step forward in improving the quality of life for the citizens of this city. Every life saved from senseless acts of gun violence is worth celebrating. But we can't forget that every single life lost to this epidemic is a needless tragedy,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Director Steve Dettelbach. “Through strong partnerships and utilizing crime gun intelligence, ATF is able to focus law enforcement priorities not on entire communities, but instead on strategically identifying the trigger pullers who are terrorizing those communities. My message for 2024? We are not done by a long shot. ATF is committed to protecting the rights of Baltimoreans to live in peace. Law abiding folks should not live in fear of falling victim to senseless gun violence tragedies that continue to plague our most vulnerable communities.”

“Crime gun intelligence allows ATF and our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and incarcerate the most violent and prolific offenders operating in Baltimore,” said ATF Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby. “While we take this moment to acknowledge the progress of this past year, we must also remember that any murder or act of violence prevents people from having the sense of security in their own neighborhood that they deserve. ATF Baltimore field division is looking forward to another year of serving the citizens of Maryland, creating safer communities so they can thrive.”

“Drugs are directly related to crime through the effects they have on the user’s behavior and by generating violence and other illegal activities including firearms related incidents and homicides,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget. “Through DEA’s Operation Overdrive initiative, we have mapped the most dangerous and ruthless drug trafficking organizations that operate in the DMV and have directed our resources towards dismantling and prosecuting these organizations. Our collaborative efforts have led to the seizure of record numbers of illegal drugs to include fentanyl and firearms, as well as many impactful prosecutions and convictions. DEA’s primary focus remains combating drug related violence and fentanyl poisoning in our neighborhoods.”

“Every day, the FBI works closely with our law enforcement partners in Baltimore and the rest of Maryland to identify and combat violent crime and other threats facing our communities,” said FBI'S Baltimore Field Office acting Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “In 2024 and the years to come, we will remain laser focused on partnering together to make our communities safer places for all of us.”

“This past year, the United States Marshals Service has helped our federal, state and local partners apprehend over 1,300 violent fugitives,” stated acting United States Marshal for the District of Maryland Mathew Silverman. “The public can rest assured that we will do everything within our lawful authority to continue to support our partners and help make the State of Maryland a safer place.”

Leaders from HSI Baltimore; USAO’s District of Maryland; ATF Headquarters; ATF Baltimore; The Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office for Baltimore City; Baltimore City Police Department; DEA Washington; FBI Baltimore; U.S. Marshals Service; the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Intelligence and Investigative Division; and the Maryland State Police attended the press conference.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.