Baltimore County has had 30% fewer shootings compared to last year's midpoint

Baltimore County officials announced this week that the county has continued to experience sharp declines in homicides and nonfatal shootings over the first half of 2024.

As of July 1, 2024, the county recorded 11 homicides: down over 31 percent year-over-year — and down over 66 percent compared to the same time period in 2021.

In addition, Baltimore County has experienced a more than 30 percent decrease in non-fatal shootings year-over-year.

Baltimore County Police Department has also cleared over 63 percent of homicide cases to date — far exceeding national clearance rates, which averaged approximately 50 percent as of 2020.

“The safety and well-being of our residents remains our top priority and I thank Chief Robert McCullough and the brave men and women of the Baltimore County Police Department for their relentless efforts to ensure Baltimore County continues to be a safe place to live, work and raise a family,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski said.

“We will continue do whatever is necessary to constantly innovate and modernize our crime fighting strategies to keep our neighborhoods safe and secure for years to come.”

Likewise, BCPD Chief Robert McCullough commended his agency’s efforts.

“I want to recognize and thank the members of the Baltimore County Police Department for their dedication and commitment to keeping our communities safe and holding those responsible accountable for their actions,” said Chief Robert O. McCullough.

“This reduction in homicides and non-fatal shootings is a testament to the relationships the Department has fostered to ensure every member of our community feels safe and secure.”

The county’s 2023 homicide rate per capita was 3.42 per 100,000 residents. By comparison, the State of Maryland’s 2022 per capita homicide rate stood at more than 9.5 per 100,000 residents according to MSP data and the 2022 national homicide rate was 6.3 offenses per 100,000 people according to FBI data.