Black mayors across the country are pointing to declines in violent crime in their cities, countering former President Donald Trump’s repeated warnings that urban areas are “lawless” and in need of federal intervention.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and Baltimore officials cited police data showing homicides and shootings down compared with pandemic-era peaks. Chicago recorded a more than 14% drop in homicides this year. Los Angeles has seen similar declines, while Baltimore reported its lowest number of killings in nearly a decade.

“Our communities are safer because of local initiatives,” Johnson said. “Investing in youth programs, expanding mental health services, and building trust between residents and police makes the difference — not political rhetori

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