BALTIMORE — As gun violence continues to decline in Baltimore after years of brutal bloodshed, a historically troubled neighborhood in the city’s southwest corner is celebrating a long-awaited victory: zero homicides in more than a year.

The numbers are especially significant for the Brooklyn community. mass shooting In July 2023, an annual summer block party left two people dead and 28 injured in the courtyard of a decrepit public housing project. most victims They were teenagers and young adults.

In the wake of the tragedy, the city’s flagship anti-violence program, Safe Streets, has stepped up its efforts in the area, and officials say the efforts are paying off. On Tuesday afternoon, residents and city leaders gathered near the scene of the mass shooting to celebrate a year of progress.

“This isn’t just the success of Safe Streets. “This is a testament to the resilience of Brooklyn and the strength of the community,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. “This is a community that has been disinvested, neglected and ignored for far too long. But together, collectively, we say enough is enough.”

Citywide, homicides are down about 24% compared to this time last year. That’s roughly over a figure 20% decrease in 2023It marked the first time in nearly a decade that Baltimore recorded fewer than 300 homicides, ending a surge that began in 2015 following the death of Freddie Gray and widespread social unrest.

Violent crimes are also decreased nationally Following the rise during the pandemic.

Baltimore’s Safe Streets program has 10 offices in some of the city’s most dangerous neighborhoods. It was released in 2007 and has expanded in recent years Under Scott’s administration, which has pledged to treat violence as a public health crisis and addressing the root causes.

Safe Streets focuses on reliability and reducing conflict by employing street-savvy mediators. This is inherently dangerous work, as they form close relationships with people who are most at risk of becoming perpetrators or victims of gun violence. Officials said it is important to reach young people.

Adanus Sprillium, 22, said he recently enrolled in a residential job readiness program recommended by Safe Streets staff in Brooklyn. He took his first GED class last week. Sprillium said he previously struggled with drug addiction and homelessness.

“I probably would have died or gone to jail,” he said.

A community survey conducted in the weeks after the mass shooting in Brooklyn showed that many residents trusted Safe Streets more than Baltimore police, local schools, nonprofits and other institutions, according to city officials. Only neighborhood churches ranked higher.

However, the presence of Safe Streets staff during the Bloc Party was not enough to prevent the party from degenerating into chaos and bloodshed.

Baltimore police received harsh criticism for their response to the incident. A report points to potential police bias after finding police ignored multiple warning signs and proactive measures could not be taken in the hours before the gunfire broke out. Critics have questioned whether police would have reacted differently if the attack had occurred in a more affluent area.

Ministry announced disciplinary charges against a dozen police officers earlier this year.

Five young people were arrested in connection with the shooting. Four of them have since pleaded guilty to various charges.

Sean Wees, manager of Safe Streets’ Brooklyn site, said many staff members have deep roots in the community. In response to the shooting, the team further focused on increasing security and connecting residents with services. But Wees said there’s still more work to be done.

“We are working to promote peace and progress in Brooklyn,” he said at Tuesday’s meeting. “We cannot stop until such ceremonies are no longer necessary, until peace becomes the norm and not a series measured in days or months.”