How many kids are getting caught up in crime
that includes shootings and carjackings?
It's a problem we talk
about far too often here.
Prince Georges County is now taking action.
County Executive Angela also
Brooks announcing a new curfew
for everyone under the age of 17.
Children who are not with an adult need
to be home between 10:00 PM and 5:00
AM Monday through Thursday and 11:59
PM to 5:00 AM Friday and Saturday.
Now that curfew goes into effect this
upcoming weekend for at least 30 days.
And of course,
we know this all follows a very violent.
Weekend in Prince Georges County
with at least nine people shot
among the violent crimes.
A 15 year old boy killed at a
convenience store in Capitol Heights,
two other teenagers shot at
a movie theater in Largo,
and a little girl not even two years old
shot inside of an apartment in Lanham.
I want to bring in our Megan rivers now.
She's all over this story for us tonight.
And Megan, you know, also,
Brooks made the announcement during a news
conference with the police chief today,
but notice noticeably absent
the county state Attorney,
State's attorney Aisha Braveboy.
This is all about,
yeah. Lorenzo Prince Georges
County States Attorney Aisha brave
boy says that she wasn't invited
to that news conference today.
This afternoon, she held her
own news conference via Zoom,
and we were able to ask her about the
claims of repeat offenders not remaining
behind bars and her message to parents.
Tonight, we're breaking it all down.
The message from the County Executive
and the state's attorney's office.
Something is not working.
Surrounded by Prince Georges
County Police and council members,
County Executive Angela Alsobrooks says
the current system is not working,
and part of the problem she
alluded to was repeat offenders.
August was the single deadliest month
in Prince George's County's history.
Each year we're also arresting more
juveniles, so it's clear that the
problem is what happens after the arrest,
or in our case, what doesn't happen,
despite statistics showing that August
was a deadly month within the county.
The numbers also prove homicides are
down by 15% from this time last year,
and States Attorney Aisha braveboy
credits that to her 98% conviction rate
and says her office does not have the
final say when it comes to punishment.
After those convictions,
we have to respect the decisions of
our judges and other judicial officers.
We also respect the Department of
Juvenile Services and their role in
holding young people accountable
in a statement to W USA.
Sign the Department of Juvenile
Services said they are just
one of many stakeholders in
the juvenile justice system.
Law enforcement and the courts
also play a major role.
All DJs youth are placed
and released by the courts.
The department does not have that authority.
Brave boy adding the legal
necessities in order to press
charges and convict someone.
We have to have justifiable reasons
to move forward to prosecute people
in here in Prince George's County,
which means we have to have.
Probable cause, which means we have to
have proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Adding that the crime plaguing
the county often comes from
neighboring cities and counties
because a lot of those who
are we arrest are coming
from different jurisdictions.
And so it is really important
for us again to be leaders.
All leaders who spoke at
various news conferences today
all echoed a similar thought.
There has to be accountability
from parents and the community.
Talk to your kids, know where they are.
Make sure that they are not engaging in,
you know, criminal behavior.
A lot to take away from today.
One of the most alarming
statistics to come from the day.
Prince George's County officers
say they've arrested 84
juveniles in carjacking cases,
and 55 of those kids already had
prior offenses and 34 of them had
gun or violent related offenses.
Lorenzo arrested 84 teens and
kids for carjackings. My goodness.
OK, clearly this is going to take all of us.
It's not just an issue for
police or our leaders.
Megan, thank you so much.
So what happens if a kid is caught?
Breaking curfew also,
Brooks says parents will receive a call
from police and if you don't respond,
kids will be sent to social services.
Also, businesses that allow kids
on the property after curfew
could face fines of up to $250.
Again, enforcement of this curfew
begins this upcoming weekend.
We have all the details on our website,
rightnowwusa9.com.
And you know,
one more note on this Prince
Georges County isn't the only
place in our area with the curfew.
DC also has one for children 16 and younger.
The hours differ though,
between July and August and
the other months of the year.
This has been in effect for a while now.