[3] Baltimore's level of violent crime remains higher than the national average.
In 2009, a total of 1,318,398 violent crimes were reported nationwide across the United States, equivalent to a rate of 0.4 incidents per 100 people.
City leaders credit a sustained focus on repeat violent offenders and increased community engagement for the continued drop, reflecting a nationwide decline in crime.
[7] Of the total staff, 16,013 were sworn officers (defined as those with general arrest powers).
[7] Maryland's former governor, Martin O'Malley, signed a bill on May 2, 2013 to repeal the death penalty.