Baltimore neighborhoods raise alarms over juvenile crime and safety concerns

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Concerns about crime involving teenagers are growing in neighborhoods across Baltimore.

FOX45 News has been following this story as residents and business owners describe a pattern of incidents that leave them questioning safety and accountability.

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People said these events spanning from a Liberty Heights 7-Eleven to Towson are not just headlines but have real impacts, including damaged property, stolen merchandise and a sense of unease in their communities.

One resident described being approached by teenagers.

“They were asking me for money. I said I didn’t have any money and I started walking and I walking and one of them hit me on my head,” Natalie Stubs, a juvenile crime victim, said.

College students said the violence is affecting their daily lives.

“It’s kind of like…ruining our college experience you know. We’re all just trying to have a good time here and you know all this violence for no reason is kind of just you know out of control and it’s unnecessary,” Ryan Fleury, a Towson University student, said.

Maryland’s system for handling teenagers accused of crimes is designed to balance rehabilitation with public safety. Lawmakers have made changes to these laws in recent years, but some residents say the changes have not eased their concerns.

After a series of high-profile cases, some people are questioning whether the system is working.

“We’ll probably make sure to keep our eye out for anything, just in case something happens. I don’t want anything bad to happen, but just keep that in the back of my mind, making sure hopefully nothing goes wrong,” another Towson University student said.

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Police can make arrests, business owners can repair damage and neighborhoods can add security, but residents say these are only responses after something has already happened.

I think maybe a little more accountability since it keeps happening, something needs to happen about it,” Fluery said.

The debate is not just about whether teenagers should face consequences, but what those consequences should be and if they are preventing future crime.

People in Baltimore said the question now is not just who is responsible for what happened, but who is responsible for making sure it does not happen again.