(WBFF) — Mayor Brandon Scott’s summer engagement initiative, aimed at curbing juvenile crime, is facing scrutiny as concerns about youth violence grow. The plan is part of a broader effort to reduce crime in the city, but some are questioning its effectiveness.
Retired Sgt. Betsy Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association, expressed support Tuesday for the idea of youth engagement. “Is summer youth engagement a great idea, well, of course it is,” she said. “I don’t think anyone would dispute the fact that a busy kid is a less likely to get in trouble kid.” However, Smith raised questions about the specifics of the engagement. “But we’ve got to look at, and I’m very curious about, what type of engagement?” she said.
The initiative comes as police reported the arrest of 16 teenagers over the weekend, with charges ranging from stolen cars to handgun violations and a break-in at a local school. Nearly a dozen of the suspects have prior arrest records, raising doubts about the initiative’s potential impact…