Posted on 08/28/24
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore, MD - Aug. 28, 2024 - A diversion program was floated during the latest Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) meetingfor young adults accused of stealing a car for the first time.
The CJCC is comprised of members from the Mayor’s Office, Baltimore Police Department, City State’s Attorney’s Office, and others. The latest meeting was held on Monday, Aug. 26. According to the meeting's minutes, which were posted online, a workgroup discussed a proposal to create a diversion program for first-time offenders accused of stealing a car if the suspect is between the ages of 18 and 20 years old.
In Baltimore City, car theft numbers have decreased compared to the record highs of 2023. According to the latest data from the Baltimore Police Department, there have been 4,169 cars stolen as of Aug. 24; a 38% decline from the same time frame in 2023.
Lawmakers spent much of the last General Assembly Session focusing on young offenders stealing cars, specifically kids between the age of 10 and 12 years old. A compromise plan included a diversion program requirement for those young offenders to encourage accountability. But now, Mayor Brandon Scott said conversations are underway to usher in a diversion program for adult car theft suspects too.
“True accountability for these things -- it's not just simply locking people up and throwing away the key -- true accountability, it's community-based accountability on making sure that that folks are working in their community and understanding how they should be a better part of their community,” Mayor Scott said Wednesday.
The CJCC won’t move forward without everyone on the same page, according to Mayor Scott. The minutes from the meeting indicate that the City State’s Attorney’s Office raised concerns about the victims involved in these cases, as well as the timing of services offered. Mayor Scott made it clear that the policy proposal is just that – a proposal – and will likely evolve as conversations continue.
“Come back to us and we'll allow the great staff work to happen between BPD and State’s Attorney’s Office, and the folks that work in the court to come back to us as the principals to say they think we should go forward with it or not or whether they have another solution to dealing with the problem,” he explained.
The next CJCC meeting is scheduled for October 10, 2024.