BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, August 20, 2026) — Yesterday, the Community Justice Action Fund (CJAF) released their 2025 Violence Prevention Index (VPI) report, with Baltimore receiving the second-best score in the nation (85). Baltimore ranked second out of 100 cities for its innovative, public health-centered approaches to violence intervention and prevention, guided by the City's Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan.
The 2025 VPI evaluated the 100 U.S. cities with the highest incidence of gun violence in 2021 and 2022 across 35 criteria spanning three categories: Intervention and Risk Factor Reduction, Addressing the Root Causes of Violence, and Local Offices of Violence Prevention. Researchers reviewed municipal codes, city contracts, published budgets, and city council records to assess whether local governments provided real funding or administrative support during the 2025 calendar year. Read the full report here.
This year's score is the second year in a row that Baltimore has achieved the second-highest score in the country. Baltimore's score reflects landmark investments in community violence intervention, victim services, and wraparound supports designed to assist those at the highest risk of being involved in violence.
"The historic progress we have made as a City is not a coincidence; it's because Baltimore has been intentional about evolving the way we think about public safety, building the systems needed to support our shared vision for public safety, and investing in intervention and prevention alongside constitutional law enforcement," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "Our focus now is sustaining this work, because any one life lost to violence in Baltimore is one too many."
In 2025, Baltimore saw a 31% decrease in homicides and a 24% decline in non-fatal shootings by deepening investments in community violence intervention, focused deterrence, and trauma support resources. As of August 19, 2026, homicides have continued to drop by an additional 22.9% and nonfatal shootings by an additional 6.7%, on top of the reductions the city experienced in 2024.
"Baltimore continues to show up as a national leader in public safety and violence prevention," said Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement Director Stefanie Mavronis. "Our achievements in creating the infrastructure needed to truly address violence as a public health issue are not ours alone. They are thanks to community partners, frontline violence intervention workers, hospitals, government, law enforcement, and prosecutors all working together for Baltimore. This index is a valuable snapshot for how far we have come, as well as a resource as we continue our collective work to create a safer, stronger city for all."
Mayor Brandon M. Scott and MONSE are currently working with the public to develop the City's second Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan (CVPP), which will be a new five-year roadmap to build on the historic progress of the last five years and deepen the City's commitment to a holistic, community- and trauma-centered public safety approach from 2026-2031 (Fiscal Year '27-Fiscal Year '31). This next plan will be finalized and officially released by early Fall of 2026. Residents are encouraged to attend upcoming listening sessions and share feedback on the plan through the public survey or directly via email to monse@baltimorecity.gov. Upcoming session dates and locations are available on MONSE's website.
