“The juvenile justice system, I think, is broken,” declared State’s Attorney John McCarthy during an emotional Public Safety County Council meeting Monday morning.
The briefing on juvenile justice, crime and public safety issues dealt with the huge rise in juveniles involved in crimes and what can be done about it.
According to Montgomery County Police, so far in 2023, there have now been 845 juvenile arrests or referrals. Juvenile-related violent crime increased 95% since 2019, including a 108% increase in robbery since 2019, according to police.
McCarthy noted that violent crime is up, especially carjacking, stolen vehicles and possession of weapons. “Those things are off the charts.”
He also said that about one quarter of those arrested are not residents of Montgomery County.
“We are experiencing, I would say, it’s a small number of juveniles who do a large number of bad things,” said Councilmember Dawn Luedke.
She pointed to one youth who had been involved in three car thefts over a six week period. During one of the incidents, a nearby school was placed on lockdown.
“He was finally held,” she said, adding the goal should not be to arrest a juvenile. “Juvenile justice was established as an intervention,” she said, adding, “When they are not being held accountable, then they are not learning.”
Police Chief Marcus Jones said it is unfair to say police only want to arrest. “The goal is to prevent crimes from happening in the first place.”
Some of the discussion centered around the recent arrest of a 12-year-old who had emailed several bomb threats. Under state law, the youth could not be arrested due to being a minor.
Adults worry about stigmatizing a child, Luedtke said. But many of the juvenile’s peers know who emailed the threats. “Word travels fast. Word travels between schools,” she said.
A lack of juvenile rehabilitation facilities in the county also was pointed out as an issue.
“The system is overburdened. We need more options,” said Councilmember Kristin Mink.
“This is a crisis,” declared Councilmember Natali Fani-González. When she drives around her district, she sees young people sleeping on the streets after midnight who are “passed out on drugs. They are not going to school.”
It is important to link these juveniles to services, she said.
On Monday at 9:30 a.m. – The PS Committee will receive a briefing on juvenile justice, crime and other related public safety issues. View staff report: https://t.co/Ptfwt2zmcS. pic.twitter.com/u1kQVCCzDD
— Montgomery Council (@MoCoCouncilMD) October 27, 2023
