Question 1: Refresh our memory, why have there been calls for Vincent Schirladi to resign?

 

The Maryland Sheriff’s Department called on Schiraldi to resign about two weeks ago. They weren’t the first ones but it was the most significant effort yet.

 

Some critics feel Schiraldi isn’t tough enough on crime. There have been instances lately where minors commit violent crimes but are sent back home with small punishments, and then commit another violent crime. 

 

Others are given only probation. And suspects in violent crimes have been released back to their guardians just hours after being arrested.

 

Baltimore had 590 juveniles charged with crimes in the first six months of this year, almost as much as the full year in 2023. And 2023 was about double 2022.

 

Schiraldi has said he’s not going to resign and that he still has the support of Gov. Moore.

 

Question 2: How has the Juvenile Services department’s budget changed during Schiraldi’s time in charge?

 

2022: $250 million budget

Schiraldi took over Jan.2023

2025: $340 million. Most of the increase (77%) is due to salary raises

 

22% of the hours worked are overtime. The department says their budget doesn’t allocate enough money for overtime and they’ll need to take money from elsewhere to pay for it. 

 

The department says they’re not necessarily understaffed: they recently cut 20 positions (though they had been vacant for a long time). It’s just that there’s too many cases. 

 

Interpret that how you will: maybe the Department deserves credit for going after so many criminal offenders, maybe they’re not doing enough to prevent the crimes from happening in the first place.

 

Question 3: How much are employees making at the department?

 

It’s a massive department that had a $148 million payroll last year.

 

Schiraldi made $191,000 last year. 

 

He’s the third highest paid. Medical Director Jennifer Baehr made $290,000.

 

There’s just under 300 people making six figures. Most of the staff is in the $80-90k range.

 

Question 4: What solutions have been offered to try and reduce juvenile crime? 

 

Back in 2022 the state signed a law that lessened some punishments for juvenile crime and gave the state more options besides jail time. In May, Moore signed a new law that undid some of the 2022 law and made things a bit stricter again.

 

Now, the department can prosecute children as young as 10 instead of 13, and recommend detention time for lower level non-violent crimes. We saw the impact of that this September when a 12-year-old boy was caught stealing and breaking into car dealerships 22 times, but released every time because he wasn’t 13 yet. That’s unlikely to happen anymore now that the new law is in effect. 

 

The law also created a 26-member committee to review all parts of the state’s juvenile justice efforts. Their first meeting was this week, but they won’t issue their first report until next October. (Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform and Emerging and Best Practices).