New polls reveal early lead in mayor’s race, delve into juvenile crime

Two new Maryland polls reveal an early lead in the 2024 Baltimore mayor’s race and dig deep into juvenile crime as a top issue.Video above: Poll on the Baltimore mayor’s raceThe October Goucher College Poll asked potential voters about the upcoming race for Baltimore mayor, and that snapshot shows Democrat Sheila Dixon with a commanding 12-point lead over incumbent Brandon Scott.| READ THE POLLS: Goucher Poll | Gonzales Poll Part 1The survey observed the mayor’s race between the two top contenders: Dixon 39%, Scott 27% and other 23%. The candidate filing deadline isn’t until February.Dixon, 69, became mayor in 2007 and served until 2010, when a scandal involving retail gift cards resulted in charges. She entered an Alford plea agreement that required her to resign from office. She entered the 2024 mayoral race last month.Mileah Kromer, director of the Sarah T. Hughes Center for Politics at Goucher College, said Dixon has a loyal base of supporters and comes into the race with high name recognition. Dixon is the front-runner in the race even before the full field of contenders is known.”The fundamental dynamics of this race is that Sheila Dixon continues to have a really unshakable base,” Kromer said. “She is a challenger that comes in with the same amount of name recognition as the current incumbent mayor.”The Goucher Poll found that if the election were held today between Dixon and Scott, voters believe Scott has the best chance of earning their vote, which could be interesting because, in other categories — such as managing city agencies, development, improving public education, attracting and retaining city residents — voters said Dixon would be the best to handle it.Poll respondents reflect on city’s directionThe Goucher Poll found 63% of respondents said they believe the city is headed in the wrong direction.Potential voters with whom 11 News spoke on Tuesday expressed their thoughts on the city’s progress.”I know it is a hard job. Nonetheless, someone has to have knowledge on how to attack the issues and get some results, some positive results,” said Margo Crawley, of Baltimore.”I think we need new blood, fresh Ideas, somebody who can think out of the box to get the city back,” said Doren Davis, of Baltimore.The Goucher Poll found 90% of respondents said crime and public safety are a top issue.”We asked people whether crime increased, decreased or stayed the same over last year. A plurality of people believe crime has gotten worse in their neighborhoods over the last year, and that’s certainly not a good place to be,” Kromer said.The Goucher Poll shows city residents are split regarding the performance of newly confirmed Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley. According to the poll, 34% of respondents said they approve of the job he’s done so far, but 33% disapprove, while 32% did not have an opinion.The Goucher Poll found 76% of respondents citing litter and illegal dumping as a concern, 74% are concerned with a lack of affordable housing, 66% take issue with the local tax rate, 58% point out the lack of employment or job opportunities and 51% said inadequate public transportation is a major problem.”I think public transportation is a huge issue because I think if everyone could get around with less trouble, a lot of problems would be solved,” said Stephanie Weikert, of Baltimore.Poll: Criminal justice, juvenile crime are top issuesRespondents expressed disappointment in what they see as a lack of transparency when it comes to crime.”Where I come from, we see it all the time. We don’t think about numbers. We see it with our eyes,” Davis said.Video below: Voters’ feelings on criminal justiceThe October Gonzales Poll asked probing questions about juvenile crime, including whether the criminal justice system should “carry a big stick or spare the rod.” It also examined whether youths between the ages of 14 and 17 who commit murder or rape should be charged as juveniles.”They need, like, (to go) back in the old days, find a place for them,” said Charles Hill, of Baltimore. “It’s bad when you mix juveniles with adults.”The poll found 59% of respondents favor strict laws, which includes juvenile detention and boot camps; 35% prefer laws that are lenient that provide social programs and counseling; 6% offered no opinion. The poll found African American voters want strict laws more than whites.Statewide, 66% of respondents agree that a 12-year-old who takes a loaded gun to school should be criminally charged while 31% disagree. “I think it is a tricky issue because I think, you know, kids are kids,” said Stephanie Weikert, of Baltimore.Part 2 of the Gonzales Poll is scheduled to be released at midnight Tuesday.

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