Criminals in Maryland are known to operate at low rates compared to the rest of the United States, and therefore, Maryland is perceived to be one of the most secure states in the country. However, if one is to look at some of the cities within Maryland, then some of them are known to record higher-than-average crime rates. This will enable one to decide on the safest place to live or on which part of the state to travel to when planning to relocate or just when in transit. The following article will give the reader an insight and brief description of some of the most violent cities in Maryland regarding the current crime rates.
Baltimore
Thus, Baltimore is a very dangerous city both in comparison to other cities in Maryland and in general across the United States. New statistics for 2021 show, that Baltimore has one of the highest violent crime rates in the US at 1,833 incidents per 100000 residents which is 5 and half times the national average. Murders in Baltimore were at the highest in 2021 with 355 reported cases thereby; 100,000 residents in Baltimore had a 58/1 homicide rate.
The violent crime is mainly in specific west and east Baltimore communities where taxpayers are open-air drug markets. In these neighborhoods, incidents of gun violence, shooting, armed robbery, and aggravated assault in addition to homicides are commonly reported. The safest places are in the southeast part of Baltimore, around Johns Hopkins University, and near the downtown area and the Inner Harbor. Nevertheless, crimes are not limited by geographical location, thus, security measures are crucial.
Suitland
Suitland is a small town within the county of Prince George’s, in the state of Maryland, and within proximity to the District of Columbia. This area has experienced an increase in violent crime rates in the recent past, and the statistics for the year 2021 indicated that Suitland was ranked at 1,030 per 100,000 people in the violent crime rate. The kinds of crime evident here are Assault with a weapon/ without a weapon, Sexual assault, Robbery, and Homicide.
Police evidence shows that the majority of criminal activity and acts of violence are committed by members of gangs as they fight for control of drug markets. There are also concerns about a lack of effective law enforcement agencies especially the local police to contain the rising incidence of crime within the neighborhood. Although it only has a population of 339 people, the crime rate in Suitland is high making it one of the most dangerous towns in Maryland in terms of population density.
Edgewood
Being a neighborhood in Harford County, Edgewood was known for being one of the most dangerous places with constant cases of gang fights and other criminal incidents. Violent crimes are 2.5 times more likely to be committed in Edgewood compared to other regions in Maryland. Data on crimes committed in the area indicate that 739 violent crimes for every 100000 residents of Edgewood were committed this past year.
Gun-related shootings and other related events that involve the use of unlawful firearms are seen often in some parts of Edgewood. They are involved in the sale of heroin and opioids all over the community and are known to use force and threaten individuals. Violent crimes such as home invasions and attacks on the occupants are also not a preserve of other areas but are also experienced in this region. These include poor economic status, low wages, and unemployment levels that influence crime levels.
Capitol Heights
Another town in Prince George’s County was Capitol Heights, which has registered rising rates of gun violence and incidences of gang activity in the recent past decade. According to the statistics of 2021, the violent crime rate per 100000 residents in Capitol Heights was 680. Murder rates are relatively high, with recent rates more than five times those of the national average.
Gangsters are responsible for most of the violence as most acts are carried out in retaliation involving shooting and attacking. Another issue with open-air drug trafficking is that it provokes violent territorial disputes. The community lacks hope for the youth, which is indicated by high levels of poverty and unemployment, which are some of the causes of the vice. These measures could be complemented by additional community investment and programs aimed at young people to increase safety. But at present Capitol Heights occupies one of the worst places concerning safety in the state of Maryland.
Staying Safe
Thus, even though a majority of areas in Maryland are relatively safe, places such as Baltimore, Suitland, Edgewood, and Capitol Heights are still experiencing criminal incidences that affect the safety of the people and their well-being. As much as possible, it is important to be updated with crime statistics in your community to avoid the pitfalls. Other measures include being aware of your surroundings, especially at night, making sure your car and home are locked securely, and considering the use of security measures. Therefore, the last of the major areas of focus will involve seeking long-term ways of solving the money-related and social factors affecting the crime rate in Maryland’s dangerous towns. However, it is prudent to avoid driving through some of these areas with relatively higher crime rates as much as possible for now.
