New coalition looks to strengthen support for Maryland law enforcement personnel, increase public safety
MARYLAND – “Everyone knows that we have a national recruitment and retention issue, crime is on the rise, and we need that type of leadership at the United Senate’s senate level,” Sheriff Crisafulli said.
Maryland Brigadier General John Teichert recently formed a new law enforcement coalition. The goal is to strengthen support for law enforcement personnel and make streets in communities across the state safer.
Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli is one of those members and said the group’s focus will be on addressing violent crime and criminal offenders. He added that the hope is to make the state more pro-prosecution. “In Worcester County, we hold people accountable. We want to see that at the state level because those issues start to bleed down the state,” Sheriff Crisafulli said.
Sheriff Crisafulli said that one of the biggest issues making their jobs difficult is the Juvenile Justice Reform Act. “Juvenile crime is through the roof throughout the entire state. Juveniles are currently not criminally responsible per se under the age of 13 years-old,” he said.
Dorchester County Sheriff James Phillips is also a part of the coalition and hopes to put a stop to the rise of drug trafficking in his county. “With the bigger drug cases we’re able to investigate and get involved in, we’re seeing the ties in areas away from here and there’s nothing being done to cartel them from bringing this stuff in,” Sheriff Phillps said. “Fentanyl is coming into this country across the southern bolder almost like you get popcorn at a move theater. It’s ridiculous. ”
Sheriff Phillips also told us that recent legislation and initiatives are adding challenges for police. He said one of those is the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021. He said he believes in some cases law enforcement personnel are being unfairly scrutinized. “It’s a shame because we’re losing good, quality people because they just don’t want to jeopardize their lives or their family’s safety anymore,” Sheriff Phillips said.
Sheriff Phillips said to complicate matters, older adults or crime lords are now using juveniles to traffic guns and more because the Juvenile Reform Act prohibits police from questioning underage suspects.
Both Sheriff Crisafulli and Sheriff Phillips endorse General Teichert for that senate seat and said they believe he can get more shore issues addressed at a higher level.
