Baltimore drops prosecution of low-level crimes, including prostitution, drug possession

March 28, 2021- 12:05 p.m

The city of Baltimore will no longer prosecute certain low-level crimes, including prostitution, drug possession and minor traffic violations, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced Friday.

The move was unveiled in a press release from Mosby’s office as it reported “one-year success” of policies implemented last March to not prosecute the nonviolent charges amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the state’s attorney’s office, last year’s decision has “resulted in a decrease in arrests, no adverse impact on the crime rate, and address the systemic inequity of mass incarceration.”

Due to the success of the policies, which were initially enacted as a way to reduce the chances of massive coronavirus outbreaks in prisons or jails, Mosby on Friday announced that the changes would be permanent.

“Today, America’s war on drug users is over in the city of Baltimore,” Mosby said in a statement. “We leave behind the era of tough-on-crime prosecution and zero tolerance policing and no longer default to the status quo to criminalize mostly people of color for addiction.”

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) praised Mosby for the decision Friday, writing in a statement, “I applaud State’s Attorney Mosby’s Office for working with partners to stem violence in Baltimore and ensure residents have the adequate support services they deserve.”

“Reimagining public safety in Baltimore requires innovation and collaborative effort,” he added.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said in a statement included in the press release that the police force will continue “to work collaboratively with the State’s Attorney Office to focus on violent crimes and reducing violence in our city.”

The policies, which were developed through coordination with various public health experts, helped decrease the overall incarcerated population in Baltimore by about 18 percent in the past year, according to data from the city’s Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Additionally, there has been a 39 percent decrease in people entering the city’s criminal justice system, Mosby’s office announced Friday.

The move comes as more cities across the country have decided to lower punishments for certain offenses and instead offer increased services for those suffering from drug addictions and other assistance to low-income and minority communities as a way to prevent future crimes.