October 4th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

In Allegany County, the news about school bullies and violence are at the forefront, but in Baltimore, it is much more serious. Just last week an elderly man was brutally attacked by two suspects, aged 15 and 18. Both were quickly apprehended but Jason Buckel, Maryland House Minority Leader, said the 15 year old is free…

“A fifteen year old who apparently had some prior interactions with police, prior juvenile assaults, juvenile situations. The Juvenile Services Department said just take him back to his parents that night. And they’re like – what do you mean? He’s just going to be back here doing the same thing tomorrow. You know, we don’t believe that – he’ll be okay. And that’s jarring. That’s ridiculous.”

Buckel says there is no law preventing these violent juveniles from being charged appropriately in the justice system but DJS Secretary Vincent Schiraldi has chosen a soft philosophy on how to deal with offenders.  A letter has been sent to Governor Moore asking that Schiraldi be removed from his position.

“He does not seem to believe fundamentally in more significant consequences, penalties, or the deterrent effect of penalties for sometimes very serious juvenile offenders. He just seems to believe that we have to release these people right back in to their same environments with sort of a slap on the wrist and some happy talk and hopes that it all works out.”