BALTIMORE — Nearly six years ago, Mayor Brandon Scott made history by becoming the youngest individual elected to his position. As projections indicate that 2025 may see the lowest homicide rate in nearly five decades, Scott’s impact as a transformative leader is becoming undeniable. Yet, he humbly insists that he cannot claim all the credit for these improvements.
“We are extremely proud of what we have achieved against expectations,” Scott remarked.
As he reflects on a landmark year marked by a consistent decline in homicides for three consecutive years, Scott emphasizes that he remains driven to accomplish even more.
The pressing question now is how to sustain this progress.
“We have established a framework and a plan stating that the duty to reduce violence in the city should not rest solely on the shoulders of the dedicated members of [the Baltimore Police Department], who work tirelessly every day. It was never meant to be just their responsibility,” Scott explained.
This responsibility has broadened to include violence intervention workers on the ground, alongside the Maryland Attorney General and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Offices.
While it has seemed that collaboration was strong among partners, earlier this month, Chief Prosecutor Ivan Bates sent a surprising letter to the mayor, expressing a desire to sever ties with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.
Bates criticized the organization for operating under a “veil of secrecy.”
Scott urged him to reconsider, and during a recent interview with WMAR-2 News’ Blair Sabol, he provided an update on their discussions.
“We have had meetings, and we’re not going to speak about it publicly. My commitment is strong, and I uphold my promises. We’ve engaged in discussions, and we’ll continue to communicate, but our work will persist unabated,” Scott assured.
Mayor Brandon Scott in a one-on-one interview with WMAR-2 News’ Blair Sabol on December 30.
As the city approaches 2026, Scott envisions continuing his efforts, aiming to expand his Group Violence Reduction Strategy into the remaining four police districts, starting with the Northern district.
When questioned about any potential criticism of the program’s foundation, he replied:
“My grandmother, if she were still alive, would say that my work should speak for itself, and that is the essence of the truth. Our primary focus should be on making Baltimore a safer place. Everything else is simply extraneous,” he stated.
Vacant Property Reduction Strategy
In 2026, Scott intends to persist with efforts to tackle the thousands of abandoned properties plaguing the city. Under his administration, the official tally has decreased from 16,000 to 12,200.
It has become all too common to witness Baltimore City firefighters attending to fires erupting from dilapidated structures that have long been uninhabited. Just this past Tuesday, two deserted homes caught fire.
This year, the city’s legislative priorities also include seeking a 6% return of sales tax revenue generated within Baltimore back to the city, with half of those funds aimed at helping combat vacant properties.
The 15-year plan to eradicate vacant buildings is projected to cost around $3 billion.
City Legislative Agenda
Regarding legislative priorities, the city has revealed its agenda for the upcoming 2026 general session in Annapolis.
This agenda encompasses a variety of concerns impacting both the city and the entire state.
High on Scott’s list of priorities is the extension of the city’s share of Highway User Revenue, enabling Baltimore to recover from past funding cuts that amounted to $900 million, affecting the maintenance of roads and bridges.
The agenda also aims to increase the maximum fines from $1,000 to $5,000, permit the Department of Housing and Community Development to collect photographic evidence as a “criminal justice agency” to help identify suspects involved in illegal dumping, and to decriminalize possession of drug paraphernalia.
Additionally, Scott advocates for legislation targeting Maryland drivers who register their vehicles in Virginia, a persistent issue that creates gaps in accountability, particularly concerning automatic speed cameras.
Mayor’s Zoning Bill Update
In November, Mayor Scott signed a series of zoning bills aimed at increasing affordable housing options in Baltimore.
The fifth and final component of this legislation, known as the Housing Options and Opportunity Act, was expected to be finalized by year-end, potentially allowing for the conversion of single-family homes into multiple units.
However, the bill has since stalled in committee due to significant public opposition.
Despite the setback, Scott maintains that the bill is still a viable and important initiative. He emphasizes the need for careful consideration and supports taking a pause.
“We’re simply trying to reverse laws established in a historically biased manner to ensure that we no longer have such disparities in Baltimore,” Scott remarked. “This is not something that needs to be hurried. We can engage in open, honest conversations and move forward, as there’s no doubt that affordable housing is a necessity across the city.”
Investing in Baltimore’s Future
Scott, a lifelong resident of Baltimore, is heartened to witness his city turning a new leaf and emerging as a model for others.
“This achievement is not solely mine,” he stated. “It represents all those we have lost throughout my life, including my deputy mayor, who made the ultimate sacrifice for this city. It’s about the young lives and families that have endured struggles.”
Scott insists that the journey is far from over.
“We’re not here to celebrate; we’re here to acknowledge our efforts and express our aspirations for even greater things,” he emphasized.
In five years, he predicts a safer Baltimore, featuring a revitalized Inner Harbor, new housing projects, and hopefully, more championship titles for the Orioles and Ravens.
While he hasn’t placed a bet with the Pittsburgh mayor just yet, he admits it’s on his mind.
“I’ve already made a wager with my good friend Ryan Clark, former Steelers safety, where I owe him a debt, and we have another bet for this weekend, but I’m confident we’ll win,” Scott asserted. “We’re victorious because, in this game, king Henry will ensure his throne remains untouched,” he said.
