Annapolis, MD – Law enforcement leaders in Maryland are increasingly urging Governor Wes Moore to tackle the rising tide of juvenile crime. Recently, 19 of the state’s 24 county sheriffs publicly called for the resignation of Vincent Schiraldi, the Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services, citing concerns that current laws inhibit accountability for young offenders.
The sheriffs report a staggering 95% spike in juvenile-related violent crime and a 108% increase in robberies, attributing these alarming trends to legislation they believe restricts their ability to act decisively against juvenile offenders.
Regardless of how serious the crime is, rarely is a juvenile detained today,” stated Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, reflecting widespread frustration.
The sheriffs characterize the situation as a catch-and-release system, where juveniles are quickly back on the streets after being apprehended. Sheriff Gary Hofmann of Queen Anne’s County expressed concern over the impact this has on law enforcement morale, stating, The juveniles hit the street hours after police contact… the deputies are sitting here writing reports for something we can’t even charge them for.
In response, Secretary Schiraldi emphasized a focus on rehabilitation rather than detention, arguing that harsher measures may lead to a more hardened criminal mindset among youths. “We believe it’s important not to make them more hardened by the system,” he explained, citing statistics that indicate a significant reduction in juvenile homicide arrests and non-fatal shootings.
However, sheriffs like Caroline County’s Donald Baker argue that accountability measures need to be reinforced. They need to take a deep dive into what laws they need to enact to assist law enforcement and juvenile services in holding juveniles accountable, he asserted. Baker also warned that the portrayal of declining crime rates might be misleading, pointing out that stopping the count of certain offenses skews the data.
Governor Moore’s administration has reiterated its commitment to balancing accountability with rehabilitation. Their statement highlighted investments in direct care services and public safety initiatives, including $119 million to local police departments and $268 million for community and residential operations to support youth.
Governor Moore, since taking office, has pledged to ensure the safety of Marylanders and to foster environments where children can thrive. He emphasized that while juvenile homicide arrests have decreased by 26% and non-fatal juvenile shootings have dropped by 46%, the administration remains dedicated to addressing the concerns raised by law enforcement.
As discussions continue between the governor’s office and law enforcement leaders, the focus remains on finding effective strategies to manage juvenile crime while ensuring public safety.