Democratic Governor Wes Moore of Maryland plans to use $5 million from the Federal COVID-19 Relief Fund for crime reduction efforts focused on youth crime, according to The Washington Post.
The funds will help strengthen local police departments, facilitate information sharing among various law enforcement agencies, and connect at-risk youth to job opportunities, life coaching, and leisure activities. according to to the post. According to CDC data, homicide rates among 15- to 19-year-olds rose 91% nationwide from 2014 to 2021.
“Improving public safety should not be a spectator’s sport,” Moore said. “We can work to remove illegal guns from our streets, but we need your help to ensure that our children do the right thing. The only guideline should not be the law passed.” (Related: Maryland Democrats Introduce Bill to Stop Prosecution for Felony Murder under 25)
The money will support the Safe Summer Initiative, with more in Prince George, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Baltimore counties and the city of Baltimore, which account for 75 percent of the state’s judicial youth, according to the paper. of funds will be invested. We will also support #Thrive25, a program that helps 25 young people at high risk of participating in or being victims of gun violence.
Statement regarding Mr. Moore’s public safety announcement:
We were disappointed to hear the lack of urgency in the governor’s security plan. With summer just a few months away, there were no major changes or bold plans to tackle violent crime immediately.#mdsenategop pic.twitter.com/nRukt4ZT33— Maryland Senate Republican (@MDSenateGOP) June 15, 2023
“When people have better access to jobs, education and opportunities, they are more likely to contribute to society rather than resorting to crime as a means of survival. We need to make fundamental investments that break.” According to the paper, Moore said: “All of the above approaches to improving public safety in Maryland require crime prevention, criminal accountability, and addressing the root causes of crime.”
Republicans in the Maryland Senate on Thursday expressed disappointment with the move, which it said fell short of addressing the state’s crime problem.
“None of the initiatives announced today will reduce drug trafficking crimes, armed robberies, carjackings and murders tonight,” said the caucus. I have written in a statement. “We can’t keep hardened violent criminals off the streets, we can’t reduce the number of illegal guns in their hands, we can’t reduce juvenile crime.”
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