According to the most recent data released by the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), Garrett County now holds the distinction of having the lowest crime rate in the state of Maryland. This significant achievement reflects the powerful combination of effective law enforcement, strong community cohesion, and initiatives focused on prevention and rehabilitation.
Garrett County State’s Attorney Christian Mash hailed the milestone as the result of several years of improvement. The statistics showed that crime rates in Garrett County have declined since 2022, to a rate of 1,840 per 100,000 people. The State average is 4,306 per 100,000 people.
“This accomplishment is the product of a unified effort — from law enforcement officers on the ground, to our community of people who really care about where they live,” said Mash. “But we’re not stopping here. We will continue to enforce the laws of our state while working to improve the foundation of systems that address the deeper issues behind crime, particularly substance abuse and mental health.”
Aimed at ensuring early intervention and long-term care for residents in crisis, the State’s Attorney’s Office is actively working to increase connections between the criminal justice system and a continuum of mental health services across Garrett County. At the same time, work continues for the development of specialized programs focused on treatment and accountability for certain non-violent drug offenders.
Mash also emphasized the quality and professionalism of local law enforcement as a factor in the improvement. “I believe that Garrett County has the best police in the state, ” Mash said. “Our officers are highly trained and use every tool at their disposal to do the job the right way.”
