August 20th, 2026: Why Baltimore Crime Is Falling and What Comes Next

Join the conversation with TJ Smith. Baltimore and Maryland are seeing a major decline in violent crime, with the state’s violent crime rate down 18% and the city on pace for fewer murders than in previous years. In this episode, the discussion explores whether the drop is tied to policing, community action, demographic shifts, fewer street conflicts, or broader national trends that are also showing up in other major cities. The conversation also looks at Baltimore’s ranking in a national violence prevention index and asks what should come next. The focus shifts from celebrating the numbers to improving quality of life in neighborhoods still affected by disorder, especially if the city wants to sustain the progress and build on it long-term. Additionally, TJ discusses Anne Arundel County’s revised gender identity policy becomes a major topic in this episode, as the discussion centers on whether schools should inform parents when a student uses a different name or identity at school. The conversation weighs parental rights, student safety, FERPA, and the limits of school responsibility while also questioning where policy should draw the line. The episode frames the issue as part of a larger school culture debate, with listeners and the host raising concerns about privacy, accountability, and whether a blanket statewide approach would solve more problems than it creates. The discussion stays focused on how schools should handle sensitive situations without turning every personal change into an administrative crisis. TJ Smith is live every weekday from 10:00am-2:00pm ET on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM101.5, and the WBAL Radio App.