Van Hollen, Mfume, Olszewski Highlight Nearly $1.2 Million in Federal Funding to Support Gun Violence Reduction in Baltimore

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Kweisi Mfume and Johnny Olszewski (all D-Md.), joined by Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, highlighted $1,184,000 in Fiscal Year 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending that they, along with U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), fought to deliver to help reduce gun violence across Baltimore. The federal funding will support the expansion of the City's Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS), a program that engages individuals most directly involved in and affected by violence and brings together law enforcement, social services, and community partners to provide resources and reduce crime.

"Making our neighborhoods safer for Baltimore residents and families is one of our top shared priorities. That's why Team Maryland has worked together for years alongside the City to deliver federal resources to improve public safety. This investment of federal funding builds on those efforts by expanding the Group Violence Reduction Strategy to serve more Baltimore neighborhoods. We are already seeing the life-saving benefits of programs like GVRS in our communities - and this expansion will help continue building a safer, stronger city," said Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"The Group Violence Reduction Strategy has been critically important to the historic decrease in murders and non-fatal shootings in Baltimore over the last several years, and I am glad to play a part in its expansion across our City," said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. "The results of the GVRS speak for themselves, and the strategy's expansion to the Baltimore Police Department's Northern District will mean even greater collaboration between BPD, social services, and members of the community throughout North Baltimore. I am proud to be a part of a team that worked nonstop to secure an additional $1.1 million to support the Group Violence Reduction Strategy in the FY26 Appropriations Process, and I am thrilled to have a partner truly dedicated to seeing Baltimore turn the corner on crime in our Mayor's Office."

"Baltimore is safer than it has been in more than 50 years because of intentional, targeted investments in strategies we know work, especially the Group Violence Reduction Strategy," said Congressman Johnny Olszewski. "When done right, it reduces the strain on hospitals, on the justice system, and on social services. I am proud to have helped deliver this federal funding to sustain Baltimore's historic progress - to support more of those seeking a better path and, ultimately, save more lives."

"Yet again, Baltimore's federal delegation is showing why they are the best in the country," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "They fight for us day in and day out in Washington, working tirelessly to deliver the resources and funding our residents deserve. This funding, which supports Baltimore's Group Violence Reduction Strategy, will help us sustain the programs that are driving historic reductions in homicides and shootings in our city."

"We need a whole-of-government approach to end gun violence for good. That's why I am so proud to have worked with Senator Van Hollen and Congressmen Mfume and Olszewski to secure over $1 million to help reduce gun violence across Baltimore. I thank Mayor Scott for his shared commitment to ending gun violence. We will not stop fighting until every Marylander can feel safe in their community," said Senator Angela Alsobrooks.

The lawmakers secured these investments within the government funding bills passed and signed into law for Fiscal Year 2026. The GVRS has also received $6.4 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act, which Federal Team Maryland fought to pass in 2021.