Staffing shortages and recruitment challenges have been impacting police departments across the Baltimore region for months. It's become a national issue that's lead to major concerns about the implications it could have on public safety. "Unfortunately we find ourselves in a really bad place right now," said Operation Crime & Justice contributor Jason Johnson.

Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby touted her office's success this week regarding the number of convictions secured since the beginning of the year, but there are new questions about how transparent the office is being with that data. According to statistics released by the SAO, theoffice has secured 373 guilty verdicts in felony cases and 1,933 indictments between January 1, 2021, and August 3, 2021.

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- As more people survive being shot in Baltimore, new data shows many of those cases are going unsolved. So far this year there have been more than 370 non-fatal shootings in the city, that's a more than 12% increase from this same time last year. "That is just a reflection of the callousness of the people who are out here committing these crimes," former Baltimore Police Deputy Commissioner Jason Johnson said.

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- More than halfway through 2021, and Baltimore continues to outpace last year when it comes to the growing gun violence in the city. So far, more than 355 people have been shot, injured and survived in what police label "non-fatal" shootings. Statistics show that's a more than 11% increase in non-fatal shootings from this same time last year.

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- As gun violence continues to ravage Baltimore City, leaving thousands dead over the past decade, this week the federal government said enough is enough. "Its an outrage," President Joe Biden said at the White House Wednesday. "It has to end and we'll end it. "

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- Gun violence in Baltimore is an epidemic that's left thousands of people dead over the past decade. Local and federal prosecutors constantly preach about targeting the most violent trigger pullers in the city and last month's expansion of the Project EXILE initiative shows they're making an effort. "There are far too many homicides, far too many non-fatal shootings," Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby said during the announcement.

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- Progressive crime policies are having mixed results across the country. In cities like Baltimore and Philadelphia, crime has only increased. But this week, voters in Philadelphia decided they wanted to continue that experiment. With 65% of the vote Philly's progressive District Attorney Larry Krasner rode his wave of reforms to victory in the democratic primary in that city, beating out a former prosecutor who claimed Kranser's policies were hurting the city.

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- Easy access to drugs on the streets of Baltimore and fewer consequences for certain drug crimes is fueling the drug epidemic, according to a former addict. It comes after City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced her plan to permanently stop prosecuting crimes like drug possession and attempted distribution. "You don't solve a drug problem with more drugs," said Mike Gimbel, a recovering addict. "It never works. It never will work. "

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- Baltimore's City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby claims to be a leader in criminal justice reform, but many of her policies and actions follow what other so-called progressive prosecutors have already implemented across the country. In March of 2020, Mosby said she would stop prosecuting what she calls "minor crimes" which includes trespassing, prostitution and certain drug crimes.

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- It's been about three weeks since City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby doubled down on her plan to permanently stop prosecuting what she calls "low-level" offenses. "Clearly, the data suggests that there is no public safety value in prosecuting these low level offenses," Mosby said at the time.

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- From open air drug deals to people breaking into vacant buildings, neighborhoods across Baltimore are often held hostage as those crimes rage on outside. "It's like we're living in hell in our own community," said one West Baltimore resident who was too afraid to show her face or share her name. She tells FOX45 News that she feels like she can't leave her own home because of the constant drug deals happening on the corner in front of her house.

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- Drug dealers controlling corners and entire neighborhoods in Baltimore shows the open-air drug market remains alive and well in the city. "This area really needs a lot of help," said Paulette Daniels, who commutes through the Penn North community each day. Daniels says she's seen the impact of the drug trade firsthand over the years as it's held a tight grip on the neighborhood without much change. "I see it and I know the police officers sees it, too," Daniels said.

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- It was just moments after she left a West Baltimore convenience Saturday that 10 year-old Kaelin Washington was struck in the chest by a stray bullet. "Our life changed in a split second," said her mother, Jasmine Ramsey. Kaelin was walking back to her godmother's house after picking up some snacks when police say a fight broke out between two groups up the street, leading to a reckless spray of gunfire.

BALTIMORE (WBFF) – Random violence, domestic violence, a rise in female suspects. Statistics show Baltimore is losing more women to violence - and it's believed there are a few, different contributing factors. In 2020, there were nearly 50 female homicide victims in Baltimore. Baltimore Police confirmed it’s the City’s highest female homicide total in at least the past decade, possibly ever.