At an East Baltimore crime walk on Tuesday, FOX45 spoke with Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley about the ongoing issues of juvenile crime and staffing within the department.

“I’m always concerned about the juvenile crime. That’s the one area we really haven’t done as well as we want to,” Worley told FOX45.

Recent incidents highlighting the juvenile crime problem include a robbery last weekend outside the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, four juveniles arrested downtown for assault and robbery the prior week, and a group of nearly 20 juveniles robbing a couple after leaving a pub near Camden Yards. Last month, a 17-year-old was also shot and killed outside the Inner Harbor’s Renaissance Hotel.

Worley expressed optimism that collaborative efforts can address this challenge, stating, “I think with all the partners, federal, state, local, we’ll get that conquered too, because last year we were escalating homicides and shootings with young people and then when the mayor’s office put together the plan to keep them busy all summer, and the same plan is being put together again. If you keep the young people busy and occupied most of them are going to find something to do.”

The mayor’s office informed FOX45 that their summer crime strategy will include heightened street-level curfew outreach starting Memorial Day weekend. However, last year’s curfew centers experienced staffing troubles, and not a single child agreed to be transported to a center.

Staffing shortages remain an overarching issue for the Baltimore Police Department as well. “I think what we have to do is sell the city. Commissioner Harrison was selling it as being part of the greatest comeback story in America and I think we’re proving it, because we’re one of the few agencies who have been able to lower crime and reform the police department at the same time,” Worley stated.

Despite decreases in homicides and shootings, low staffing continues impacting Baltimore residents. On Tuesday, a father who recently lost his child to violence pleaded with city leaders, saying, “You need to find a way to hire more police. I’ve been through the criminal justice system all my life. You all need to find a way to recruit these officers to come in the city. Stop letting them go in the county.”

Police Union President Mike Mancuso attributes the staffing issues to low pay, claiming BPD officers earn “20 to 30 percent less than those in surrounding counties.”

Worley said the department is taking action, stating, “Every officer who is not in patrol has to pick one shift a month to work,” as part of their plan for the summer.