Baltimore, MD – May 16, 2023  – In 2023, Baltimore saw a concerning rise in juvenile crime, with homicides among young people increasing by 67% and non-fatal shootings by 55%, according to FOX45. The city's first homicide of the year was a 17-year-old girl, and of the 102 total homicides, 10 victims were juveniles. Community members like Ziyeeda Warren attribute the rise in youth violence to the easy access to guns, a lack of resources, and drug exposure. Authorities identify drug organizations and gangs as significant drivers of violent crime, despite efforts to dismantle such groups. Jason Johnson, a former Deputy Commissioner with the Baltimore Police Department, emphasizes the challenges of understaffing and difficulties in prosecution as contributing factors to the issue.