Maryland plans juvenile car-theft pilots in Baltimore, Montgomery

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has directed the Department of Juvenile Services to create pilot programs in Baltimore City and Montgomery County to prevent youth motor vehicle thefts and related crashes. The programs will identify children involved in thefts or considered at risk and coordinate interventions with families, social-service providers, schools and law enforcement, including early support for children too young to face criminal charges. The directive follows a series of fatal and serious crashes involving stolen cars driven by juveniles. A Maryland mother whose son was involved in car theft said families need help before young people’s behavior escalates and argued that intervention should have come sooner. DJS is expected to report on its efforts to the governor’s office by Dec. 1.