BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Juvenile car thefts and carjackings are down dramatically across Maryland, according to new data from the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). But while state officials point to the declines as evidence of progress, questions remain about whether those numbers capture the full extent of juvenile crime.
New figures released by DJS show juvenile car thefts have fallen 37% since 2024. Unarmed carjackings have also dropped 80% and armed carjackings are down 71%.
The department credits increased accountability, stronger supervision and expanded intervention programs aimed at preventing repeat offenses.
But critics argue the statistics may not tell the whole story.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley has repeatedly raised concerns about juvenile repeat offenders not facing adequate consequences, previously stating, “We keep arresting the same juveniles and it’s an ongoing issue.”
One concern is whether crimes involving children too young to be charged are reflected in the state’s data. Under Maryland law, children younger than 13 generally cannot be charged with certain offenses. That issue came into focus in Baltimore City this September, when police said a 12-year-old driving a stolen Kia ran a red light and struck and killed a 69-year-old motorcyclist. Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates said the child could not face charges because of state law.
“I’m hurt and I’m very frustrated. I keep knocking my head against the wall and nobody is listening,” Bates previously said while discussing juvenile crime.
It raises the question, how many cases aren’t being reported in DJS’s numbers because the child wasn’t formally charged? The same question applies to data involving repeat offenders.
According to DJS, approximately 30% of juveniles charged with car theft and 41% of those charged with carjacking had “prior sustained adjudications”, meaning they had previously been found responsible for an offense in juvenile court. However, it’s unclear if that accounts for every prior arrest, complaint or referral.
“I think we have to be realistic about what numbers we’re getting and what they may be missing,” said legal expert and community activist Yuripzy Morgan.
Morgan argues that focusing exclusively on adjudicated offenses could leave out important information about how frequently juveniles come into contact with the justice system.
“When the purpose of DJS is not to hold the child accountable, but to rehabilitate the child, and when those two come in conflict, it becomes very, very difficult,” Morgan said.
And despite the significant declines, hundreds of juvenile auto theft and carjacking complaints are still being reported statewide. According to DJS, Maryland has recorded 923 juvenile car thefts and 91 carjackings so far this year. That amounts to roughly three car thefts every day and two carjackings every week.
More than half of the reported car theft complaints are concentrated in just three jurisdictions: Baltimore County, with 241; Baltimore City, with 133; and Montgomery County, also with 133. Together, they account for approximately 55% of the statewide total.
Morgan says those numbers should still be cause for concern, regardless of how much they have declined.
“No one should be satisfied with those numbers,” Morgan said. “A car theft isn’t just a car theft. This is not just a joyride. We’ve seen a number of people who have lost their lives.”
FOX45 has asked the Department of Juvenile Services to clarify whether its statistics include complaints, referrals and incidents involving children too young to be charged. The station has also requested additional information about juveniles with prior arrests or complaints that did not result in sustained adjudications.
As of publication, DJS has not provided that clarification.
This post was originally published on Fox 45 by Sinclair Media Group.
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