The leadership of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), specifically Secretary Vincent Schiraldi, is facing scrutiny over its handling of juvenile crimes. Against a backdrop of calls for his removal, Schiraldi has vowed to keep his position, stating, "My job is to make it safer, and I'll stay in this job as long as I'm allowed to," in an intervention with 11 News Investigates. Schiraldi is contending with the fallout from a series of recent violent crimes involving minors, including arrests connected to a homicide and a separate shooting incident, as per WBALTV.
Demands for Schiraldi's ouster have intensified this week, with the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus and Baltimore City community leaders among the most vocal critics. According to a letter from the caucus to Governor Wes Moore cited by WBALTV, Schiraldi's "disastrous philosophies and policies are degrading public safety across Maryland." Furthermore, during a press statement, Governor Moore's office has highlighted progress, noting substantial decreases in juvenile crime rates and significant investments to bolster public safety.
Conversely, during a recent media availability, Schiraldi avoided questions from FOX45 News, a Baltimore-based news outlet. Schiraldi departed from the virtual event leaving questions hanging, and a DJS Director of Communications intervened to halt further inquiry from FOX45’s reporter, as reported by FOX45 Baltimore. This has added to the ongoing criticism of the department's transparency and accountability.
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