Podcast Summary: The Al Franken Podcast Episode: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott on Reducing Violent Crime (September 14, 2025)

Overview

In this episode, Al Franken interviews Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott to discuss the city’s significant reduction in violent crime and homicides—the lowest in fifty years. Mayor Scott shares his personal journey, outlines the city's comprehensive violence prevention strategies, and responds to national political attention sparked by President Trump's repeated criticisms of Baltimore. The conversation explores the intersection of public safety, policing reform, equitable community investment, and effective, data-driven policy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Baltimore’s Progress in Reducing Violent Crime

• Historic Lows in Homicides

  • At the time of this interview, Baltimore is experiencing its lowest homicide rate in 50 years (03:37).
  • August saw only seven homicides, the lowest on record for that month (03:48, 07:28).
  • From 300+ homicides per year for nine years down to 201 last year, now pacing for a further reduction (08:42).
  • Emphasis on acknowledging progress, not celebrating:

    “We are acknowledging this historic progress, not celebrating…understanding that we have a lot more work to do.”
    — Mayor Brandon Scott (04:16)

• Critique of Federal Intervention Proposals (Trump & National Guard)

  • Addresses President Trump’s suggestion to send the National Guard, arguing it’s unnecessary and politically motivated (03:24, 39:33).
  • Notes prior lack of federal interest when violence was higher (04:08).
  • Advocates for restoring federal investment in local anti-violence and community programs over militarized interventions (37:41, 40:23).

Mayor Scott’s Personal Connection to the Issue

• Growing Up in Park Heights, Baltimore
  • Witnessed a shooting before age eight, which motivated his public service ambitions (05:33, 09:14).
  • Describes a childhood marked by neighborhood violence, systemic disinvestment, and deep community pride (08:59, 13:21).

  • “Despite living in a neighborhood where seeing someone get shot before you’re eight years old…is not normal...But we had this strong sense of community and pride...I would not replace my childhood...it made me who I am.”
    — Mayor Brandon Scott (09:14)

Comprehensive Violence Reduction Strategies

• Treating Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue

  • Reframes violence as a public health crisis requiring an all-of-government approach, not just police action (20:32).
  • Multi-pronged effort involving data analytics, law enforcement, social services, and community engagement.

• Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS)

  • Focuses on small groups most likely to be involved in violence; offers at-risk individuals life-altering resources or, if they refuse, prioritizes them for law enforcement (05:33, 21:00).

  • “We know that…in every city…it’s a small group of people…committing acts against another small group…”
    — Mayor Brandon Scott (21:00)

  • Many former participants now employed by city government (22:11).

• Community Violence Intervention (Safe Streets & More)

  • Employs people with lived experience in crime to mediate conflicts and prevent reprisals (22:46).
  • Notes that much of today’s violence is driven by interpersonal disputes, not drug wars (23:05).

• Strict Focus on Illegal Firearms and Accountability

  • Aggressive prosecution and partnerships to disrupt gun trafficking and sales, including:
    • Lawsuit against Polymer 80 (ghost guns) resulting in significant local and national impact (24:00).
    • $62 million lawsuit win against a gun store selling to prohibited buyers (24:00).
  • Police seized 2,500 guns in one year (24:00).

  • “We sued Polymer 80, the nation’s largest ghost gun company, and won…Just last week…jury ruled in our favor, awarding…$62 million…against Hanover Armory...”
    — Mayor Brandon Scott (24:00)

• Investments in Education & Recreation

  • Record funding for city schools; 12+ new or renovated schools since Scott’s tenure (25:39).
  • Boost to Rec & Parks (40% budget increase), new pools and recreation centers, youth employment, literacy, and summer programs (25:39–26:53).

Police Reform and Accountability

• Progress under Federal Consent Decree

  • Substantial improvements in police practices and accountability post-Freddie Gray (15:22).
  • Moving from a “warrior mentality to a guardian mentality” (15:45).
  • Improved diversity, technology, and de-escalation training in the force, but acknowledges more work remains.

• Neighborhood Trust and Racial Justice

  • Candid about legacy of racism in policing and government; highlights the real-life impact of broken windows/tough-on-crime policies, systemic poverty, and infrastructure decisions (e.g., “highway to nowhere”) (16:58–19:19).

Addressing Vacant Housing and Long-Term Plans

• Vacant Properties

  • Reducing vacant properties from 16,000 to 12,000 since 2020; new $3 billion, 15-year plan to eliminate vacants through community partnerships and financing tools (35:14).

• Looking Ahead

  • Continued focus on crime reduction, equitable city growth, and family health.
  • Plans to seek reelection for a possible third term (34:17).

Community Engagement & Political Approach

• Personal Leadership Story

  • Entered public service as a direct response to community trauma; mentored by prominent leaders (29:49–31:33).
    • Notably influenced by Congressman Kweisi Mfume (“my congressman gave me my voice” [31:32]), Elijah Cummings, and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

• Advice for Democratic Party

  • Urges more local leadership within the Democratic Party; says victory and progress are driven at the community level (41:38):

    “They need to pull in leaders at the local level…because we are the ones that are closest to the ground…They have to allow those of us…closest to the people to be a part of leadership.”
    — Mayor Brandon Scott (41:38)

• Rejects Political Grandstanding

  • Insists he does not want Baltimore used as a political prop; open to genuine federal help, not hollow photo ops (39:33–40:06).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On National Guard Proposal:
  “Why now? Why when the city has…the last two now going on three years, set records for reduction on violence, are we now sending in the National Guard?”
  — Mayor Brandon Scott [04:08]

• On Childhood Dreams:
  “Since two days after that, that first shooting, I said I was going to be the mayor of Baltimore.”
  — Mayor Brandon Scott [29:14]

• On Community Investment:
  “We were seen as a problem to solve, not a resource to invest in, which is the opposite way that I look at the young people in Baltimore today.”
  — Mayor Brandon Scott [14:17]

• On Ghost Guns and Legislative Hurdles:
  “Some 12 year old can go online and order three separate parts…Ghost guns are a very dangerous thing.”
  — Mayor Brandon Scott [24:03]

• On What the Federal Government Could Do:
  “They could…ban ghost guns…repeal the T Harden amendment…restore the grants and things that they have cut…”
  — Mayor Brandon Scott [39:42–40:23]

• On His Son’s Name:
  “I love Baltimore so much, my…the 19-month old’s name is Charm. That’s his name.”
  — Mayor Brandon Scott [42:57]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:21 – Start of Interview; National Guard and violence reduction
• 05:33 – Mayor Scott’s motivation and background
• 07:28 – Homicide data and progress contextualized
• 13:21 – Park Heights and growing up in Baltimore
• 15:22 – Police reforms; consent decree process
• 20:32 – Treating violence as a public health issue
• 24:00 – Attacking gun violence and ghost gun lawsuits
• 25:39 – Education, summer jobs, youth engagement
• 29:07 – Early political career and inspirations
• 35:14 – Tackling vacant housing & future goals
• 36:12 – Opioid settlement independent from state
• 39:33 – Rejecting Trump’s political overtures; what real federal support should look like
• 41:38 – On Democratic Party direction and local leadership
• 42:47 – Closing and discussion of Baltimore's nickname

Tone & Style

The episode is candid, personally resonant, and policy-detailed. Mayor Scott is direct, impassioned about public service, and enthusiastic about Baltimore’s progress, while grounded in the realities and ongoing struggles of urban governance. Franken’s questioning is supportive, often drawing out personal anecdotes and offering space for Scott’s policy expertise.

Summary prepared for listeners who want a comprehensive, engaging breakdown without sitting through the full episode.