Baltimore, Maryland, December 3, 2025
Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates has ended his office’s coordination with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), citing a lack of transparency and operational concerns. This decision is a significant shift in the relationship between Bates and Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration, which had previously worked together on public safety initiatives. Despite past collaborations, Bates’ office will continue prosecuting cases from the Baltimore Police Department but will not coordinate with MONSE on the Group Violence Reduction Strategy. Crime statistics show a decline in violence in Baltimore.
Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates Ends Collaboration with Mayor’s Public Safety Office
Baltimore, Maryland – In a significant move, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates has announced the cessation of his office’s coordination with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), which oversees the city’s anti-violence initiatives. Bates cited concerns over MONSE’s lack of transparency and its operational practices as primary reasons for this decision.
In a detailed letter to Mayor Brandon Scott’s office, Bates outlined several grievances, including MONSE’s “cloak of secrecy” and its disregard for the rights of crime victims. He emphasized that while his office would continue to prosecute cases brought by the Baltimore Police Department, it would no longer directly collaborate with MONSE on the Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS), a key component of the city’s violence reduction efforts. Bates also declined to utilize the $80,000 allocated by MONSE for GVRS-related work, expressing that his office could not maintain a direct association with an organization that operates under a veil of secrecy and deceptive practices.
The mayor’s office responded by expressing a commitment to addressing Bates’ concerns directly. A spokesperson stated that the administration remains deeply committed to partnerships across the city that have contributed to unprecedented violence reduction. They emphasized that any disruption in this collaboration would be a distraction from the primary goal of saving lives and reducing violence.
This development marks a notable shift in the relationship between Bates and Mayor Scott’s administration. Despite a history of disagreements on various public safety strategies, including the effectiveness of the Group Violence Reduction Strategy and the Safe Streets program, both parties have previously engaged in joint efforts to address crime in Baltimore. In April 2024, Bates and Scott released a joint statement acknowledging past miscommunications and expressing a commitment to regular meetings to enhance their partnership moving forward.
As of December 1, 2025, Baltimore has reported a 29.8% decrease in homicides and a 25.2% decline in non-fatal shootings compared to the previous year. These statistics suggest a positive trend in the city’s efforts to combat violence, though the impact of the recent decision by Bates on future crime reduction remains to be seen.
The situation continues to evolve, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What prompted State’s Attorney Ivan Bates to end coordination with MONSE?
Bates cited concerns over MONSE’s lack of transparency and its operational practices, including operating under a “cloak of secrecy” and disregarding the rights of crime victims, as primary reasons for ending the collaboration.
Will Bates’ office continue to prosecute cases related to the Group Violence Reduction Strategy?
Yes, Bates’ office will continue to prosecute cases brought by the Baltimore Police Department, including those designated by MONSE as part of the Group Violence Reduction Strategy, but will no longer directly coordinate with MONSE on this initiative.
How has the mayor’s office responded to Bates’ decision?
The mayor’s office expressed a commitment to addressing Bates’ concerns directly and emphasized that any disruption in collaboration would be a distraction from the primary goal of saving lives and reducing violence in the city.
What are the current crime statistics in Baltimore?
As of December 1, 2025, Baltimore has reported a 29.8% decrease in homicides and a 25.2% decline in non-fatal shootings compared to the previous year, indicating a positive trend in the city’s efforts to combat violence.
Key Features of the Situation
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Decision | Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates ends coordination with Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE). |
| Reason | Concerns over MONSE’s lack of transparency and operational practices. |
| Mayor’s Response | Commitment to address Bates’ concerns directly; emphasis on continued collaboration to reduce violence. |
| Crime Statistics | 29.8% decrease in homicides and 25.2% decline in non-fatal shootings as of December 1, 2025. |
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Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
