BALTIMORE, Md. — Baltimore City Mayor Catherine Pugh delivered the 20th Annual State of the City Address on Monday afternoon.
Pugh stood in front of city officials and shared her sentiments on Baltimore's current standing while highlighting topics such as crime reduction and youth education.
She made it clear to the public that although one of her priorities is to reduce crime and keep Baltimore safe, she is not happy with the city's crime rate saying the current crime reduction is simply not enough.
"Too much violence, too many illegal guns that have left many in our city including me, angered and devastated. Our commitment is to improve the quality of life for all of us who live, work, play and visit this city."
According to the mayor, the kick off of Safe Streets and ROCAare a few of several initiatives that she believes will help drive down the crime rate in the city.
The appointment of Michael Harrison as the new Baltimore City Police Commissioner was also addressed as an accomplishment for the city. Mayor Pugh says with his experience in New Orleans, better community policing and recruiting will be a priority for the Baltimore Police Department.
Pugh says helping the youth of Baltimore will aid with the advancement of the city. She noted that opening up a job portal to employ some of the city's children was able to provide jobs for about 9,000 of them and this year the number of applicants have increased to 16,000.
"I'm calling on the business, the philanthropic community, organizations, and non-profits to help us hire all our young people who want to work this summer."
Among the programs the city offers, Mayor Pugh announced that the city will host its annual job fair for high school graduates in an effort to improve the lives of the youth.
She says with the help of state funding the city hopes to build more 21st century schools and her administration plans to build a dormitory for students in an effort to create a more conducive learning environment.
Pugh also spoke on accomplishments regarding city roads, transportation, affordable housing funding, city safety, and rebuilding the city.
"Baltimore, Baltimoreans, friends, neighbors, residents, business owners, and stake holders, together we can grow Baltimore we can be prosperous and we will be safe as we improve the quality of life for us all," said Pugh.
View her full address below:
