March 3rd, 2018 by WCBC Radio
The Maryland Senate is on track to pass a comprehensive crime bill that softens two key elements of Gov. Larry Hogan’s proposal to combat street violence — mandatory minimum sentences and a crackdown on gangs. The Baltimore Sun reports the broad bill packages several anti-violence proposals, including elements of Gov. Hogan’s plan, and was approved Thursday night by a Senate committee with support from both Democrats and Republicans. But advocates for criminal justice reform say the process has been moving too quickly and has relied too heavily on prosecutors in devising longer jail terms that, they say, do little to rehabilitate offenders.
The bill proposes guaranteed spending for anti-violence programs such as Safe Streets in Baltimore, which is praised for attempting to stop violence brewing before it erupts, and efforts to build connections between police and young people.
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