A recent surge in carjackings across Baltimore has highlighted the growing involvement of juveniles in these crimes, prompting calls for stricter penalties.
In West Baltimore, four teenagers were involved in a carjacking, police say.
The suspects were apprehended the following day, and a gun was found inside the stolen vehicle. According to the Baltimore Police Department, three of the four teens had previous arrests for robbery and auto theft.
In East Baltimore, another carjacking occurred, with three suspects described as “armed and dangerous.”
The incidents are part of a troubling trend of increased carjackings citywide, with juveniles responsible for a significant number of cases.
One local resident expressed frustration with the current legal consequences for young offenders.
“They’re gonna get a slap on the wrist and they’re gone.”
Another resident shared the sentiment saying, “I think there definitely need to be more stiffer penalties and I think it will eliminate a lot of the crime.”
A recent carjacking in Upper Fells led to the arrest of a 15-year-old, a 16-year-old, and a 19-year-old.
Some community members have suggested holding parents accountable for their children’s actions.
“Go get a warrant for the parents and make the parents, set up charges. They need to do the charges that the kid does,” one resident said.
Betsy Smith, a law enforcement expert, commented on the lack of consequences for juvenile offenders.
“I find this extraordinary, although not surprising,” she said. “Crime has to have consequences and obviously these juveniles do not believe that they are going to face any kind of consequences or they would stop doing this stuff.”
While the Baltimore Police Department has not confirmed if the same juveniles are repeatedly involved in these crimes, Smith warned that the problem will persist without systemic changes.
“The system as it in place now in the state of Maryland clearly is not working. At least for this group of juvenile offenders and many others that we talk about, every single week,” she said.
Have a news tip? Contact Vincent Hill at Vihill@sbgtv.com.