'No silver bullet': As juvenile crime spikes, officials seek solutions
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. (7News) — The caught-on-camera attempted murder on a middle school bus in Prince George’s County three weeks ago has made national headlines, as has the search for “Baby K,” the 15-year-old suspected gunman in that crime and another murder.
Baby K’s whereabouts remains a mystery, as is a solution to the ongoing spike in juvenile crime across the region.
RELATED: Armed teen 'Baby K' sought in PGCPS bus assault now wanted in DC murder: sources
So far this year in Prince George’s County, 3244 cars have been stolen compared to 3517 in all of 2022 with 244 arrests made compared to 226 in all of 2022,
And of those arrests, 135 have been juveniles, according to Prince George’s County Police.
RELATED: 3 masked teens jump on PGCPS school bus, shoot at 14-year-old boy's head, but gun misfires
Kids committing serious crimes is spiking: an attempted murder on a school bus, the picture and street name of a 15-year-old, Baby K, wanted for murder and attempted murder released publicly because police believe he is dangerous.
Baltimore City for the first time in years is enforcing a curfew starting Friday night, even while the mayor admits it isn’t a cure all.
“Never did I say that the youth curfew itself would go out here and be a silver bullet to reducing youth violence in Baltimore,” Mayor Brandon Scott said. “Because, I'll tell you this again, there is no silver bullet."
Indeed, those Prince George’s crime numbers come as the county has claimed to be enforcing a youth curfew since last Labor Day.
Now, some including State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy are saying newly enacted laws which shield juveniles in Maryland from prosecution even for serious crimes have gone too far.
RELATED: 'I'm in fear'| Mom of PGCPS bus attack victim speaks out as search for 'Baby K' continues
“I intend to work with our legislature to let them know exactly what is happening, the results we are seeing based on some of the changes in state law,” Braveboy said.
But even if he is captured, under the new juvenile justice reform laws, police can’t question him without parental approval says former cop and police advocate Jason Johnson.
“They’re taking a more passive approach,” Johnson said. “They’re giving juveniles under a certain age a complete pass that they cannot be involved in the juvenile system at all if they’re too young.”
