Baltimore Named Nation’s Most Dangerous City by USA Today

USA Today has named Baltimore the most dangerous city in the country.

The paper analyzed police crime data in the nation’s 50 biggest cities, which revealed Baltimore had the highest per capita murder rate in the nation with nearly 56 murders per 100,000 people — a record for the city. The rate outpaced New Orleans and Detroit, with a rate of 40 and 39 killings per 100,000 people, respectively.

Baltimore’s 342 murders in 2017 was an increase from 318 in 2016.

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Baltimore has seen a decline in homicides so far this year. Through Monday, 32 people had been killed, compared to 47 killed at the same time last year.

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Councilman Kristefer Burnett says the city’s image could affect tourism, and residents could pack up and leave.

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Baltimoreans want the world to look beyond a headline and see its charm.

“It’s a shame when people who don’t come in the city and don’t experience the city, don’t have relationships here want to make comments about it,” said Rachel Cybor.

{snip} The city’s police department says it has been more aggressive with stopping criminals, and since December, they’ve arrested more than 300 people for warrant and gun violations. The department says there has also been an increased focus on police visibility.

Baltimore went nearly two weeks without a homicide earlier this month. The 12-day murder-free streak, which began with a ceasefire weekend, was a milestone that hadn’t been seen in years.

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