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Inspector General Faults Baltimore's SideStep Pilot, Citing Fiscal and Data Failures

The city inspector general says SideStep is not ready to expand due to mismanagement.

Mayor Brandon Scott, Attorney General Anthony Brown, Baltimore City Police, Special Agent in Charge Ibrar Mian, DEA Washington Division and Director Stephanie Movronis, The Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), attend a press conference about the arrest of 11 suspects of a drug trafficking ring linked with fentanyl overdoses and gun violence in South Baltimore. The effort is part of Baltimore's Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS). (Kim Hairston/Staff)
Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates said he said he has had a difficult time getting access to information about young people involved in the SideStep program from City Hall. (WBFF)
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Overview

  • The Oct. 22 report found MONSE lacked case management, grant billing, and a clear scope of work for the youth diversion pilot, concluding the program was not ready for expansion.
  • Investigators said $694,798 routed to community groups lacked controls, and a MONSE chief of staff told providers the funds were not restricted to SideStep participants.
  • MONSE did not bill the state Department of Juvenile Services for $357,775 in Youth Opportunity Coordinator costs from 2023–2024, and the OIG urged the city to recover the money.
  • Outcome reporting was unreliable, with MONSE highlighting a 14% rearrest rate at six months while DJS records indicated recidivism later exceeded 40%.
  • MONSE says it has redesigned portions of the program and strengthened tracking and is working with DJS on reimbursements, as the OIG continues its probe and the pilot remains paused.