There is no denying that our City is in crisis–the loss of lives across our city to gun violence have shaken our communities to their core.
Kristerfer Burnett (Courtesy Photo/Facebook)
In my time on the Baltimore City Council, I have had the opportunity to hear from multiple experts on the subject of crime; prosecutors, police officers, former gang members, think tanks and the non-profit community. I’ve heard from my constituents, those who are the victims of crime, and those who are involved in it.
From what I have learned, I am certain that evidence-based policy has to be the standard by which this Council legislates. In regards to the proposed mandatory minimum legislation, I am convinced that my colleagues on the Council have the best intentions in responding to a crisis, and are operating in the manner by which they feel is best. But according to “Combating Gun Violence in Illinois: Evidence Based Solutions,” produced by the Bluhm Legal Clinic at Northwestern Law school, there is overwhelming evidence from the other American cities that have already gone down the road of mandatory minimums for illegal gun possession to suggest that these policies will not stop the crisis of violence in Baltimore.
The reasons for the spike in homicides are varied, but we cannot begin to talk about an increase in crime until we discuss the reasons underpinning crime. In Baltimore, our residents are being paid low wages relative to the cost of living (a person in the Baltimore region must make $22 per hour for a family of four to have a living wage, but average pay is $10 per hour). Heroin and opiate addiction has increased exponentially and is causing turf wars as drug syndicates compete (and retaliate) for territory and customers. Citizens returning to our neighborhoods from incarceration have few pathways to viable employment and many return to their previous lifestyle. And many of our youth lack hope or guidance, and are often raising themselves in some of the most disinvested neighborhoods in Baltimore.
So, what will actually work? Law enforcement alone is not equipped to respond to society’s complex issues. The evidence we have suggests that there are many factors that contribute to high levels of crime, and they are as multidisciplinary as public health, economic development, housing and social services. Therefore, if we are to decrease crime in Baltimore City, then we must take a comprehensive approach to do so. I’m proposing the following long-term and short-term investments needed to address the root causes of violence:
- Immediately expand funding for evidence-based programs like Safe Streets, proven to reduce violence in neighborhoods across Baltimore City. Just last year Safe Streets mediated over 800 conflicts and an analysis by Johns Hopkins University found that this resulted in a 27% reduction in violent crime.
- 80% of funding for the Department of Health comes from state and federal sources. The City should steer more money to provide wrap-around services for youth and adults that have experienced trauma and/or suffer from mental health challenges, drug addiction, lead poising, abuse, etc. without delay. We must view violence as a public health crisis in Baltimore City, and distribute the appropriate resources without hesitation.
- Fully fund Baltimore City Schools and out-of-school time activities for our youth so that they have the opportunity for a world-class education, can go on to college and break the cycle of poverty.
Violence is a disease and its symptoms are the result of systemic and longtime disinvestment and inequitable policy decisions– and there is no “silver bullet” or easy fix. We must continue to look to policy solutions that are comprehensive and address the root causes of violence—poverty, mental health and education.
Kristerfer Burnett represents the 8th District of Baltimore on the Baltimore City Council.