BRANDON M.

SCOTT
MAYOR
100 Holliday Street, Room 250
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

May 12, 2021

Greetings,

It is utterly impossible for a city to thrive when residents do not feel safe in their neighborhoods. That is why
tackling violent crime is Baltimore’s biggest challenge, and reducing it remains my top priority. Given your
precise roles and responsibilities in moving Baltimore forward, reducing violent crime is likely a priority for you
as well. But curing the violence epidemic is only possible if government agencies and our partners are
concentrated and coordinated.

The intent of this letter is to gauge your interest in rejoining the Baltimore City Criminal Justice Coordinating
Council (CJCC). Before state funding was slashed in 2017, the CJCC offered a much-needed forum for
stakeholders to come together and discuss urgent matters regarding violent crime, share timely information, and
develop collaborative measures to build a safer Baltimore.

Additionally, CJCC and respective agencies worked together to enhance public safety and reduce crime,
advance the fair and timely disposition of cases, and bring swift justice to those accused of crimes. CJCC
encouraged interagency partnership by facilitating the initiation, coordination, implementation, and evaluation
of practices and procedures.

At a time when teamwork is needed more than ever, we have a real opportunity today to apply lessons learned
from the past and create a modified CJCC that is truly solutions-driven.

The Baltimore Police Department cannot solve violent crime alone – we must work together. The urgency of
this moment requires courage and the will to do better and be better. Leaders must meet this challenge with a
collaborative approach that is rooted in equity, transparency, accountability, and integrity.

My administration has already taken steps to achieve this through the creation of the Mayor’s Office of
Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), which works to galvanize community partners and City
agencies around equitable, trauma-responsive approaches to violence prevention. I envision a refined CJCC that
formally builds on the work of MONSE and the leadership of Director Shantay Jackson.

If you are interested in supporting my mission to restart CJCC, please contact Director Jackson at
Shantay.Jackson@baltimorecity.gov. I hope you join me in exploring this endeavor.

Brandon M. Scott

Mayor
City of Baltimore