Cambridge officials continue to work to combat juvenile crimes

CAMBRIDGE, Md.- As juvenile crimes continue to be an issue in Cambridge, local officials are criticizing the Juvenile Justice Reform Law that was passed last year, for not fully holding juveniles who commit crimes, accountable.

“Since this law has gone into effect, I think we’ve seen it statewide, certainly, that there’s no consequences for juveniles actions,” said police chief, Justin Todd of the Cambridge Police Department.

The law barres police from charging juveniles under 13 for non-violent crimes, to mitigate the prison pipeline for minors. Chief Todd said with the law, it’s unclear how juveniles are to be held responsible for the crimes they commit.

“We have juveniles that are out committing crimes, and doing things they should not be doing,” Chief Todd said. “There’s no recourse, there’s no, you know, [way] to try to correct the behavior of the child.”

Because law enforcement is no longer able to charge juveniles under 13 for non-violent crimes, they’ve had to find other productive approaches.

“That’s why CINS comes into the picture, and I think is starting to be an important role,” Chief Todd said.

The Child In Need of Supervision initiative is still fairly new to the Cambridge community. Chief Todd said it can offer parents, and guardians, the help they need, to guide children down the right path.

“There’s help that can be offered to the parent and the guardian of a child that is acting out,” Chief Todd said.  “[We] find out why they are acting out and then we can start working on the root of the problem.”

And Cambridge Mayor, Stephen Rideout, said as long as law enforcement, city officials, and the community work together, CINS should work in the youth’s best interest.

“I’m all in favor of the CINS philosophy case type– what it can do if it’s done, and run effectively,” Mayor Rideout said.