In a tweet from 2019, then-President-elect Donald Trump disparaged Baltimore, describing its conditions in harsh terms. However, since that time, significant progress has taken place within the city, particularly under the leadership of Mayor Brandon Scott. The challenges Baltimore faced, such as violent crime and systemic disinvestment, have been met with innovative homegrown solutions and community engagement. Despite the obstacles, many residents, like Gabriel Francis Paz Goodenough, recognize the commitment to revival that transcends mere politics, emphasizing that the policies aimed at addressing violence as a public health issue have been longstanding but often ignored.
Goodenough, who is the director and executive producer of “The Body Politic,” a documentary highlighting Scott’s strategies, has praised the mayor’s resilience in implementing effective violence reduction policies despite potential political backlash. The Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) encapsulates this approach, focusing on data-driven measures that delve into the root causes of gun violence. This multi-faceted effort unites police, community leaders, and service providers to identify individuals most at risk of violence and offer them necessary support. The strategy has garnered national attention for its success, being recognized by the Biden Administration as a significant case study in violence reduction.
The documentary places a spotlight on the core elements of GVRS, which involve identifying high-risk individuals indicative of both perpetrators and victims of gun violence, communicating the risks they face, providing outreach services, and strategically applying law enforcement measures. Scott’s leadership is commendable within this context, as he navigates the complexities of urban crime management while prioritizing community welfare. His approach starkly contrasts with traditional policing methodologies and is underscored by his own experiences as a young Black man in Baltimore, aiming to shift the narrative away from excessive policing strategies.
On a broader scale, Scott’s recognition is expanding, transcending local borders primarily due to his adept handling of significant public safety challenges, like the reconstruction efforts following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse that claimed six workers’ lives. While this incident placed him in the national limelight, insiders like Goodenough argue that Scott’s impactful work on violence reduction deserves equal attention. As the year draws to a close, preliminary data indicates that Baltimore is on track to register fewer than 200 homicides—a notable milestone that reflects the effectiveness of GVRS, which has demonstrated significant crime reductions without exacerbating community tensions.
Supporting these claims, a report from the University of Pennsylvania’s Crime and Justice Policy Lab highlighted a 25 percent decrease in homicides and a 33 percent drop in carjackings within the city’s Western district during the initial 18 months of the GVRS initiative. Jeremy Biddle, who leads the center’s violence reduction policy work, expressed optimism about the findings, which indicate a correlation between reduced violence and the fostering of police-community trust, essential for long-term change. This progress presents a hopeful narrative as city officials prepare to extend the program throughout Baltimore.
The documentary further humanizes this narrative through the stories of activists like Erricka Bridgeford and Dante Johnson, individuals pivotal to Baltimore’s grassroots healing efforts. These community figures often put themselves in harm’s way, demonstrating the power of local action in crime reduction. Goodenough articulates a vision for lasting change, asserting that Mayor Scott’s dedication to community engagement and sustainable policies has the potential to redefine Baltimore’s future. The documentary “The Body Politic” has garnered accolades such as the Audience Choice Winner at the Heartland International Film Festival and recognition at other notable festivals, indicating the broader impact of its message about resilience and hope in Baltimore’s ongoing transformation.
