Wes Moore

But now we have seen the fastest drops in violent crime anywhere in the United States of America.

So, you know, as someone who's also a military veteran, you know, I take a personal and a specific offense here.

to him just using our military personnel like they're just toy soldiers.

But also it was very clear that if you're looking for places of chaos and lawlessness, don't come to Maryland because that doesn't exist here.

Yeah, I mean, because for me, this is not driven by a political ideology.

We drive it by data.

And the thing I wanted to do is say we have to both increase accountability and increase opportunity.

So, yes, we made historic investments in local law enforcement in the state of Maryland.

I believe that they do play an important role in making sure the communities feel safe.

that we did invest in both our state's attorneys and also our public defenders and making Maryland one of the only state that actually helps to fund the U.S.

attorney out of balance sheet.

Because if someone commits a violent crime, particularly violent crime with a firearm, I want them in handcuffs in 24 hours and they will be held to account.

Yet at the same time, we are going to deal with the root causes.

It's the reason that when I came on board, I said that Maryland is going to have the most aggressive and bipartisan push to end child poverty.

in the state of Maryland.

And I'm proud of the results that we have been able to drive on this issue.

But the reason that I was explaining to people that it isn't just because I think child poverty is an embarrassment in any civilized society.

It's also because if you care about public safety, focus on ending child poverty.

Because oftentimes you see the areas that have to deal with poverty and oftentimes concentrated and generational poverty.

They're also the places that deal with the heaviest levels of violence.