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SeriesSpoiler-free2-minute brief

We Own This CityA series brief.

2022 / American crime miniseries / Created by David Simon and George Pelecanos

A Baltimore police unit becomes the center of a story about corruption and public trust.

What is We Own This City about?

We Own This City follows the rise and fall of Baltimore’s Gun Trace Task Force and the institutional failures surrounding it. The HBO miniseries examines how policing priorities, corruption and political choices affect a city and the people who live there.

By Brefly · AI-assisted · Published

Five things to know.

  1. The starting point

    The story centers on Baltimore’s Gun Trace Task Force.

  2. The institutional setting

    The series traces corruption within a police unit and the systems around it.

  3. The civic stakes

    Its focus extends to public policy, trust and the consequences for Baltimore residents.

  4. The creative team

    David Simon and George Pelecanos developed the HBO miniseries, based on Justin Fenton’s book.

  5. Spoiler-free scope

    This introduction outlines the subject without detailing the investigation’s findings.

Brefly’s take / Interpretation

A thought to take with you.

Try it for a serious, reportorial crime miniseries about policing and civic accountability.

Is it your kind of series?

Try it for a character-led series with a clear premise and spoiler-free introduction.

Three ideas to take with you.

  • Institutions shape the choices people can make.
  • Public policy has consequences beyond official statistics.
  • Accountability depends on more than individual cases.

Before you press play.

What is We Own This City about?

We Own This City follows the rise and fall of Baltimore’s Gun Trace Task Force and the institutional failures surrounding it. The HBO miniseries examines how policing priorities, corruption and political choices affect a city and the people who live there.

Who is behind We Own This City?

Created by David Simon and George Pelecanos. David Simon and George Pelecanos developed the HBO miniseries, based on Justin Fenton’s book.

What kind of series is We Own This City?

American crime miniseries. Try it for a character-led series with a clear premise and spoiler-free introduction.

Sources & scope

This AI-assisted brief draws on the linked descriptions and production information. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.

Source details checked October 10, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach