Gov. Wes Moore orders state agencies to target youth car thefts

Gov. Wes Moore issued a directive Tuesday for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services to immediately implement a pilot program for youth-involved car thefts in Baltimore City and Montgomery County, areas that have had an increase in motor vehicle thefts in the past year.

Moore’s directive, which will remain in effect until further notice, comes after a crash involving a motorcyclist and stolen car driven by a 12-year-old. The motorcyclist, 69, later died. 

“Public safety is my top priority and I am concerned by the recent frequency of motor vehicle thefts involving youth and young children,” Moore said in a statement. “Most tragically recent incidents have resulted in severe injuries and fatalities across our communities. We cannot wait for a tragic crash to be the first point of meaningful intervention. We must act decisively to interrupt this pattern of behavior before more lives are lost.”

In an emailed response to Maryland Matters, the Department of Juvenile Service said it plans to “strengthen coordination through existing Youth of Concern meetings to identify youth at risk, respond quickly to incidents, and connect youth and families with appropriate services and supports, including younger children who are served with community and/or residential services through the Child in Need of Supervision process.”

The governor’s office said the program can mirror one implemented in Minnesota in 2021. Part of the focus is to reduce youth and young adults committing vehicle thefts and direct resources toward intervention programs. The governor’s office said it hopes it will build on the juvenile services’ gun-violence prevention program known as Thrive.

The Democratic governor and Democratic-controlled legislature have focused on policies on youth reform such as a law signed in 2024 that requires youth charged for motor vehicle thefts to receive a Children in Need of Supervision petition. The petition would allow that youth and the youth’s family to qualify for a variety of services.

One of the top criminal justice reform policies went into effect Oct. 1, known as the Youth Charging Reform Act. It makes it more difficult to charge youth as adults and try them in adult court. However, serious charges such as first-degree murder or rape still go directly to adult court. 

Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey Jr. (R-Upper Shore) questioned Tuesday whether the directive changes how the state addresses juvenile crime. In addition, he’s skeptical of the directive being released four weeks before the Nov. 3 general election.

“It announces an intervention strategy without establishing measurable outcomes, a clear deadline for demonstrating results, or additional funding and enforcement authority,” Hershey said in a text message. “Maryland families have serious concerns about juvenile crime and accountability, and this directive falls woefully short of addressing those concerns.”

An initial status report on the pilot program is due to the governor’s office by Dec. 1.