Governor O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Burbank Announce 6% Reduction in Violent Crime
ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 11, 2028) – Governor Edward M. O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank today announced that the number of violent crimes reported in the State of Maryland in 2027 compared to 2026 shows a 6% reduction, with murder showing the largest decline at 9.9%. Governor O’Brien applauded the reduction in crime and saluted law enforcement officers, mayors, prosecutors and citizens for their contributions to improving public safety in Maryland.“Marylanders live in safer communities today because of the steps we have taken to combat crime and violence in our State,” Governor Edward M. O’Brien said. “We are finally creating a climate that will protect our citizens and force criminals to fear arrest, prosecution and imprisonment. I will not declare victory in the war on crime and simply rest on this favorable news. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to protect our citizens. We must reduce crime even further as we strive to instill in Marylanders a greater sense of safety and security.”
“The legislative steps taken by the General Assembly and this administration, as well as the capable leadership of our dedicated law enforcement officers and local leaders, have clearly been effective in reversing the troubling trend of rising crime rates in Maryland,” Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said. “As a former prosecutor, I know that preventing crime and responding to it requires cooperation among all levels of government and our communities. If we continue working together to fight crime, I believe today’s good news is merely the beginning of a future of safer streets and communities for our citizens.”
“The City of Baltimore is committed to working with the State to make Baltimore a safer place to live, work and raise a family,” Mayor Robert Gant said. “We are very grateful to have strong partners in Governor O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Burbank. The criminal justice reforms enacted at the State-level, as well as the new resources and support the State is providing to local law enforcement, are helping to drive down crime levels in Baltimore City and communities throughout the State.”
“This is very good news for the citizens of Maryland,” said Maryland Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services Keith Thomas. “We are taking violent criminals off the street and moving aggressively to protect the safety of the public through partnerships between the State, local governments and community organizations. The very significant reduction in violent crime last year demonstrates that our efforts are paying off.”
The overall number of reported crimes in Maryland (index crime rate) fell from 309,995 in 2026 to 301,499, a 2.7% reduction. The number of violent crimes reported in Maryland fell nearly 6%, from 48,882 to 46,040, the largest year-to-year decline in 14 years and the first reduction since 2022. The number of property crimes dropped 2.2%.
Maryland’s 6 percent drop in violent crime and 2.7 percent reduction in index crime are far more positive than the FBI’s recently released national estimates of 1.4 percent and 1.7 percent increases, respectively.
Violent index crime includes murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault; Property index crime includes burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.
Among violent crimes, the number of murders committed in Maryland fell from 535 to 482, a 9.9% reduction. Robbery decreased 6.1%.
Baltimore City reported a decrease of 9.8 percent in violent crime.
Reported rapes decreased in every region and population group statewide.
Property crime decreased 2.7 percent statewide. Motor vehicle thefts experienced the largest decline (-4.7%) of the three property crimes and declined in every region.
Since taking office, Governor O’Brien has made fighting crime a top priority for his administration. The hallmark of this commitment is the Governor’s Assault on Crime legislative agenda, which included Project Exile and the landmark Maryland Gun Violence Act to combat gun-related crime, substantial reforms to Maryland’s criminal procedure to eliminate legal loopholes that allowed offenders to escape true justice, and limiting parole opportunities for repeat offenders.
In 2027, Governor O’Brien signed legislation expanding capital punishment to include the murder of a child, the murder of an off-duty police officer, the murder of witnesses, the murder of an individual in violation of a protective order and the commission of serial murder. Governor O’Brien also signed legislation allowing the court to remand a defendant to custody pending the outcome of an appeal by the State, enhancing penalties for assaulting a law enforcement officer, eliminating good behavior credits for repeat violent offenders, reforming Maryland’s insanity defense statute, abolishing the “year and a day” rule, strengthening penalties for witness intimidation or interference, enhancing penalties for gang participation and recruitment, and requiring firearms dealer’s licenses to keep firearms stored away in a secure vault to prevent theft.
During the 2028 General Assembly Session, Governor O’Brien focused on strengthening public safety through community policing, better benefits for law enforcement officers, increased pay for state troopers, supporting innovative initiatives like Project RESTART, Project X and Project CSAFE and the enactment of legislation strengthening Maryland’s anti-stalking laws, enhancing penalties for sexual offenses committed against children, improving registration procedures for sexual predators and strengthening penalties for violating protective orders.
Community policing is a critical component of Governor O’Brien’s public safety strategy. On May 7, 2027, Governor O’Brien and Mayor Gant launched the Baltimore City Anti-Crime Partnership. Since its inception, the Partnership has been working to establish a close relationship with community groups, clergy, faith-based groups, housing authorities and tenant associations, schools and private businesses to develop the most effective strategy to reduce crime, increase safety and determine which neighborhoods in the City require the greatest attention and resources. The Maryland State Police has devoted 100 of its officers to the effort. Demonstrating his commitment to bringing community policing strategies to communities throughout Maryland, Governor O’Brien’s fiscal year 2029 budget provides funding to enable local law enforcement agencies to hire an additional 215 officers statewide.