On the heels of a heated town hall, where city residents voiced their frustrations over repeat juvenile offenders, the Department of Juvenile Services is sending FOX45 new data on youth under their supervision.
According to the department, 253 youth are currently in detention — roughly the same number as this time last year, when 255 were detained.
Even more youth, however, are being monitored outside of lockup. That number is up 22% from last year, rising from 223 to 274 youth currently under 24/7 GPS supervision — with only 63 staff members assigned to watch over them.
In June, a 14-year-old was linked to a crime spree involving armed robbery, carjacking and a stolen vehicle—all while wearing an ankle monitor.
In July, a 13-year-old with 18 prior felony arrests was apprehended after a series of armed carjackings, also while under GPS monitoring.
According to the new data, DJS acknowledges that so far this year, nearly 20% of youth on ankle monitors either face a new arrest or fail to appear in court.
“I think it certainly does underestimate the problem, but even if it didn’t, it is still a rather high number,” said former Baltimore Police Deputy Commissioner Jason Johnson.
Johnson argues the problem isn’t the ankle monitors themselves. “It’s far less expensive to the state than detaining kids, and it’s more appropriate in many circumstances,” he said. The issue, he added, appears to be the lack of oversight.
“Just because they haven’t been charged with reoffending doesn’t mean they’re not reoffending,” Johnson said. “If no one is actually paying attention when a child is out at 3 a.m. in a place they’re not supposed to be, and they’re on an ankle monitor, that alert should be addressed immediately. And case after case after case, we see where it’s not been—it seems to be ignored. And if you’re going to administer the program that way, it will not work.”
Have a news tip? Contact Rebecca Pryor at rkpryor@sbgtv.com.
