Areview of children's deaths in Baltimore reaffirms an ugly truth about life in the city: Children die more often from murder than traffic accidents or injuries or suicide. And most of those victims are teenagers. If anyone had doubts about the toll violence is taking on the city's youths, this report should set them straight. This is a deadly city for youngsters.

The city Health Department's review of data from its child fatality review committee for 2002 to 2006 reinforces the need to promote and expand violence prevention programs such as Operation Safe Kids, which provides intensive services for and monitoring of teens who are at risk of becoming homicide victims. Gov. Martin O'Malley knows the benefits of this program - it started when he was mayor - and has put $300,000 in his proposed state budget for the city's program, which should be supported.