Democratic lawmakers in Annapolis outline their approach to violent crime

Maryland Senate Democrats rolled out their plans Thursday to address rising crime in the state, calling for a four-pronged approach.

“There is nothing more important for government than making sure that people feel safe,” Senate President Bill Ferguson told reporters at a news conference in Annapolis. “It is a fundamental premise. It is the bedrock of our institutions.”

To do that, Ferguson said lawmakers would focus on four areas: “Prevention, intervention, criminal justice and rehabilitation.”

Ferguson said the level of violent crime was “at a level that we truly thought was unimaginable.” He pointed to the coronavirus pandemic as a major factor in the crime surge, especially among young people. “It has created an environment where many of our fellow Marylanders’ mental health and stability is simply not there,” Ferguson said.

Read more: https://wtop.com/maryland/2022/02/democratic-lawmakers-in-annapolis-outline-their-approach-to-violent-crime/