Baltimore Mayor & Council President Introduce Legislation to Create Department of Neighborhood Safety (DNS) as Third Branch of Public Safety

Earlier today, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott and City Council President Zeke Cohen announced legislation to establish a new city agency: the Department of Neighborhood Safety (DNS). The department will serve as Baltimore’s third branch of public safety and emergency services, operating alongside the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) and the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD)/EMS.

Key Objectives & Structure of the New Agency

* Codifying Violence Prevention: The legislation formally establishes DNS to institutionalize and house the violence prevention work and community programs currently managed by the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE). MONSE staff, mission, and day-to-day operations will continue uninterrupted under the DNS banner, led by Director Stefanie Mavronis.

* Alternative 911 Emergency Response: DNS will build out a formal emergency response branch to handle nonviolent 911 calls, such as quality-of-life concerns, mental health crises, and welfare checks. According to the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), approximately 22,000 annual 911 calls in Baltimore—about one-third involving individuals experiencing homelessness—could be better managed by social workers, mental health clinicians, and recovery counselors.

* Consent Decree Alignment: Institutionalizing civilian alternative emergency response aids Baltimore in meeting its federal Consent Decree obligations regarding comprehensive behavioral health crisis diversion.

* Post-Response Continuity of Care: DNS will manage follow-up care continuity teams composed of peers and social workers to assist residents after their initial community-response call.

Funding & Implementation

* FY 2027 Budget Allocation: More than $16 million in the Mayor's 2027 Fiscal Year budget is designated to support the creation of DNS.

* Upgrading Emergency Dispatch: Funding includes $12.4 million allocated to replace the city's outdated Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, supplemented by $8 million in Maryland state funding.

* Planning & Response Capacity: Includes $3.4 million from the Opioid Restitution Fund for initial agency planning and $1 million in federal funds to expand alternative response teams.

Leadership & Next Steps

* Following introduction of the bill to the Baltimore City Council, the city will conduct nationwide searches for an Executive Director (subject to City Council confirmation) and a Deputy Director to lead the Alternative Response division.

* The agency’s development will incorporate community engagement sessions to gather resident input on operational priorities.

Official press inquiries can be directed to press@baltimorecity.gov, and complete announcements can be reviewed via the City of Baltimore's Press Release.