Message from the Chief of Police
The Takoma Park Police Department has received numerous e-mails and phone calls concerning the release by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services of a juvenile suspect who was arrested on December 4, 2007, and charged with multiple offenses. In our judicial system, the Department of Juvenile Services makes the final determination on when a juvenile, who has been arrested, is incarcerated. In this case, the Takoma Park Police presented the evidence, and the juvenile’s previous record, which led to his initial arrest. With the assistance of the State’s Attorney’s Office, and our officers, we plead our case to the on-call in-take officer for the Department of Juvenile Services. After much heated discussion, and pleading on the part of the Takoma Park Police, we were turned down and the juvenile suspect was released to his parents. In this case, we followed our normal procedures, as we do in all juvenile cases - where our department and the State’s Attorney believe there is a danger or other circumstances warranting the juvenile’s incarceration. When a juvenile is incarcerated, he is entitled to a hearing before a judge who will then make a decision of whether he will continue to be incarcerated or released pending trial.
Our department deemed this juvenile suspect a repeat offender. As a result, we initiated surveillance last night, December 5, 2007, one night after he was released. This surveillance led to his arrest again and the possession of more stolen property. As a result of this arrest, we once again asked for his incarceration, which was this time granted.
Many of you have shared with me your frustrations and concerns over the release of this juvenile. The Takoma Park Police Department has been and will continue to make it a priority to target repeat offenders, whether juvenile or adult, and work towards their incarceration. If you have concerns or complaints concerning the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, you must voice them to the Department of Juvenile Services. Their phone number in Rockville is 301.279.1580 and for Silver Spring is 301.650.6760.
I am committed, as is our entire department, to making our City a safe place. Working together we can make it happen!
Posted by Cathy at December 6, 2007 02:43 PM