New Maryland Law Allows 10-Year-Olds to Enter Juvenile Justice System 2024-11-01

A new Maryland law that takes effect on Friday allows children as young as 10 to be referred to the juvenile justice system for an expanded list of nonviolent crimes. The law lowers the age for Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) referrals from 13 to 10 and requires that any child charged with motor vehicle theft get a Children in Need of Supervision (CINS) petition, which qualifies the youth and their family for services. Supporters say the law was needed to respond to public fears of crimes like carjackings by youth, while critics argue it criminalizes and traumatizes young children with no public safety benefit. The law has divided advocates and lawmakers, with some saying it is a 'major step back' for children.

crime

New Task Force Formed to Combat Fentanyl Crisis in Maryland 2024-10-31

A new task force has been formed in Maryland under the United States Drug Enforcement Administration to combat the fentanyl crisis. The task force comprises 17 state, local, and federal offices, including the Ocean City Police Department and Wicomico County Sheriff's Department. Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis said the county has been struggling with the crisis, with multiple fatal overdoses occurring recently. The DEA says the fentanyl and opioid crisis has reached all of Maryland, with over 2,000 overdose deaths from July 2023 through June 2024, more than 1,600 of them fentanyl-related. Sheriff Lewis says the task force is a 'hands-on-deck approach' to dealing with the crisis, with most of the drugs coming from Baltimore City.

crime

Maryland Police Disrupt Multiple Illegal Car Rallies, Make Arrests 2024-10-31

The Maryland Car Rally Task Force, in collaboration with local police, disrupted six unlawful exhibition driving events across Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties on Saturday night, resulting in multiple arrests and the recovery of a stolen Chevrolet Corvette. Police responded to several locations where up to 350 participants had gathered in parking lots attempting to shut down intersections. Arrests were made, including Shakari Prue, 21, of Jessup, Maryland, charged with disorderly conduct, exhibition driving, and other traffic-related offenses, and Anthony Sandoval, 19, of Parkville, Maryland, charged with disorderly conduct, riot, fireworks discharge without a permit, and fireworks possession without a permit. The task force has been focused on investigating and addressing these 'takeover' events since June 2024.