Latest news with #BetsyFoxTolentino
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Teen arrested for pulling knife on boy and stealing car in downtown Baltimore, police say
A 17-year-old was arrested for allegedly pulling a knife on a boy and then stealing a vehicle in downtown Baltimore on Monday afternoon, according to police. Police said a mother parked the car, kept it running, and left her son in the car as she walked into a bank. The suspect then got into the vehicle, assaulted the son, pulled a knife on him, and pushed him out of the vehicle before driving away. Police used a tracking device to locate the vehicle in the 1500 block of Jefferson Street, where the 17-year-old was taken into custody. The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services issued new guidelines for minors on electronic monitoring who are arrested for serious crimes. Juvenile services staff are required to detain youth who are arrested while wearing an electronic monitor until their next court day at the request of law enforcement. Betsy Fox Tolentino, the acting secretary of the DJS, said the decision came after a series of meetings with public officials, according to our partners at The Baltimore Banner. It also comes after recent incidents involving young people wearing ankle monitors. Staff must attend court with the young person and report their behavior while wearing the monitor. Tolentino has taken over as the DJS secretary after Vincent Schiraldi resigned. She spoke with WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren about taking over a role that had been a lightning rod for critics. "We don't want people to feel unsafe," Tolentino said. "We want people to feel that they are safe in their communities and confident that the department is doing what it can do to support our young people." One of the criticisms was that under Schiraldi, juvenile offenders did not fear consequences. Asked whether she sees things that need immediate fixing within DJS, Tolentino said, "What I bring to the agency is this renewed focus on our day-to-day operations—ensuring that at the front door of our system when law enforcement brings a young person to our attention, that our decision making is aligned with Maryland law and designed to get young people what they need—and also that we are in the position to support public safety." Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he wants accountability in the effort against juvenile crime. "I think accountability means being able to use all assets at your disposal," Moore said. "So, if you're saying that accountability simply means a lecture, I think you're wrong. And I think if you're saying accountability means locking everyone up for everything, I also think you are wrong." Moore said, "True public safety means that you have to have the right combination of accountability for those who break the law, and you need to make sure that you focus on rehabilitation."
CBS News
30-06-2025
- CBS News
New Maryland DJS leader talks about critics, challenges with repeat juvenile offenders
Violent incidents have placed a spotlight on juvenile crime in Maryland, including a recent carjacking and a kidnapping by young, repeat offenders on GPS monitoring. Betsy Fox Tolentino, the new leader of Maryland's embattled Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), spoke with WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren as she takes over an agency that has been a lightning rod for critics. "We don't want people to feel unsafe," Tolentino said. "We want people to feel that they are safe in their communities and confident that the department is doing what it can do to support our young people." Tolentino is no stranger to the DJS she now leads. Tolentino worked there for more than a decade and rose to deputy secretary. She also previously worked with the Roca program, an intense anti-violence initiative targeting Baltimore's youth. Hellgren asked her why she believes DJS faces criticism. "I think because we're working with young people, and we all really care about our young people," Tolentino said. "We want to make sure we're getting it right. And when it feels like we're not getting it right, people want to know why. What can we do differently? How can we approach this problem in a different way to build solutions that get us that lasting, sustainable behavior change that we want to see for our young people?" Young repeat offenders Recent cases include a 14-year-old who police say went on a crime spree in Northeast Baltimore last week, carjacking someone and robbing a delivery driver at gunpoint. A 15-year-old allegedly robbed and kidnapped a 12-year-old on his way to school in East Baltimore at gunpoint last month. Both were on electronic monitoring, drawing frustration in the community. "Electronic monitoring is a really important tool in the continuum to support young people, but we have to make sure we're using it appropriately and in the right circumstances," Tolentino said. "So that means we're doing a really good evaluation, making recommendations for monitoring when it fits the situation. And with any tool, it's only as good as your operations around it." Tolentino added, "So, we want to make sure our operations and our frontline staff who are showing up every day for our young people have what they need to ensure they are able to support young people when they are in the community on monitoring." Monday morning, Anne Arundel County police reported a 15- and a 17-year-old crashed a stolen Hyundai in Glen Burnie. Police also reported that a 17-year-old girl sprayed a man with mace and robbed him at a Pasadena convenience store. "By looking at those cases, we're going to be able to evaluate what we could have done differently to support that young person and support the community," Tolentino said. "So, maybe we have to ensure there are some other strategies we use. Maybe we got it wrong." Tolentino continued, "Maybe we can develop different sorts of strategies over time that can help that young person, but we're going to dig very deeply into that population and see what we do need to do differently — and that means using all our tools — whether it's additional monitoring, additional supervision, additional behavior change strategies and using our highest-level interventions in receiving treatment in a residential facility." Criticism of predecessor Critics said juvenile offenders do not fear consequences and lashed out at Tolentino's predecessor, Vincent Schiraldi. "He has been a colossal failure," said Frederick County Republican Senator William Folden. "He should never have been in that position, and for the governor to put him in that position and leave him in there for as long as he did, at least there's change coming," Tolentino said she is not concerned about the upcoming confirmation process. "I'm here to do a job, ensure our operations are aligned with Maryland law, our frontline staff have what they need, our kids are getting what they need," Tolentino said. "I invite all the questions. I want to have the discussions. And I hope that when we get to that time, I have a lot of confidence from many of our members of the General Assembly, so that I can continue to carry on the work here." Tolentino, a former public defender, is meeting with prosecutors to see what they need. "My message is, call me," Tolentino said. "Let's have conversations. Let's sit down and talk. I really want to understand how law enforcement, how state's attorneys, and other justice system partners are really experiencing the system." Asked whether she sees things that need immediate fixing within DJS, Tolentino said, "What I bring to the agency is this renewed focus on our day-to-day operations—ensuring that at the front door of our system when law enforcement brings a young person to our attention, that our decision making is aligned with Maryland law and designed to get young people what they need—and also that we are in the position to support public safety."
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vincent Schiraldi talks with WMAR after resigning from DJS position
Maryland's Department of Juvenile Services is undergoing leadership changes as Vincent Schiraldi has resigned from his position as secretary. Governor Wes Moore has selected Betsy Fox-Tolentino to lead the department moving forward. In an interview following his resignation, Schiraldi said he approached the Moore administration indicating he was ready to step down when they felt it was appropriate. "Then a week, maybe a little more than a week later, Fagan Harris the Chief of Staff called me to Annapolis and said they were going to accept that, thanked me for my service, talked about the transition stuff with the incoming person Betsy Tolentino and settled on a departure date of June 20," Schiraldi said. Despite facing calls for his resignation and negative coverage, Schiraldi believes he made positive contributions during his tenure at the department. READ MORE:
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Embattled DJS Secretary Vincent Schiraldi steps down
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent N. Schiraldi in a file photo from January 2024. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Vincent Schiraldi, whose two years as secretary of the troubled Maryland Department of Juvenile Services were marked by heavy criticism from some state lawmakers, resigned Monday. Critics called the move long overdue but Schiraldi, 66, said in an interview Monday evening that he's pleased with the work he and his team did under the leadership of Gov. Wes Moore (D). 'It was a real honor working with Gov. Moore,' he said. 'I wish him luck as he continues to drive down crime and improve outcomes for young people. His efforts to abolish childhood poverty will reap benefits, not only for kids, but also they'll improve crime rates even further than they already are.' Moore announced Schiraldi's replacement will be Besty Fox Tolentino, who will assume the acting secretary position Wednesday. She currently works as managing director of juvenile and young adult justice initiatives at The Roca Impact Institute, a nonprofit based in Chelsea, Massachusetts. 'We knew when we took office that the Department of Juveniles Services was one of the most troubled in all of State government. We need to continue to move fast and diligently in order to turn it around,' Moore said in a statement. 'I am pleased that Betsy Fox Tolentino has raised her hand to serve and will lead the department during the next critical phase of this work,' his statement said. 'Her focus on safety for all communities is defined by executional excellence, accountability for justice-involved youth, support for the staff who serve them, and sturdy grounding in the law is exactly what we need at this moment.' Before working at The Roca Institure, Fox Tolentino worked in juvenile services in Maryland as deputy secretary of community operations, a position created by the General Assembly in 2021. Juvenile Services secretary grilled on agency's performance by Senate committee 'I am thankful for Secretary Schiraldi's service to Maryland while leading an organization that shapes the lives of our young people who need support. I wish him well in his next endeavors,' Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) said in a statement. 'I also want to congratulate Betsy Tolentino on her nomination as secretary. Ms. Tolentino's experience in successful operations at the Department of Juvenile Services will be important to the next phase of the work for the agency.' Senate Republicans believe Schiraldi's departure is 'long overdue,' saying in a written statement that under Schiraldi's leadership, 'a broken system became a public safety liability.' 'He presided over widespread failures: violent juveniles released with no real supervision, repeated contract mismanagement, dangerous missteps in ankle monitoring, and frontline staff left to fend for themselves,' Senate Minority Leader Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (R-Upper Shore) said in the statement. Minority Whip Justin Ready (R-Frederick and Carroll) criticized Moore for not removing him sooner, saying that while the change in leadership is welcome, it 'doesn't erase the damage already done under Schiraldi—or the fact that the Governor stood by while this department fell deeper into crisis.' The Senate Republicans that the department Schiraldi leaves behind 'remains in disarray,' and that disfunction at the agency are 'deeply embedded in a culture of mismanagement and denial.' 'Removing Schiraldi is just step one,' Hershey added. 'We need a full overhaul of the department — new leadership, real operational experience, a commitment to public safety, and above all, accountability.' The juvenile services department has been mired in controversies under Schiraldi. Most recently, the agency was the subject of a lengthy report from state auditors who said the department failed to consistently ensure that criminal background checks were completed for every contractor working at state juvenile detention centers and treatment facilities. This oversight allowed a state contractor for the department to work directly with children through this year, despite a 2021 assault conviction, according to a May report from the Office of Legislative Audits. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Schiraldi's department also came under fire over last year over inadequate communications involving the transfer of a student who was charged with serious criminal offenses. Last year, the Maryland State Board of Education had to issue an emergency rule requiring that school leaders notify other schools of such cases, after a student in Howard County was arrested in connection with an October murder. Howard County education officials said that they were not notified that the student in question had also had been charged in another county and was under Department of Juvenile Services supervision before he enrolled in their county. The General Assembly's Joint Republican Caucus had called for Schiraldi's removal following that incident. Moore stood by Schiraldi then, saying that the secretary understood the vision of the administration when it came to accountability and opportunities for Maryland's youth. Schiraldi said when some lawmakers speak loudly against some criminal justice reform measures, 'watch out.' 'I think when you hear some politicians thumping their chests and breathing fire … that's when bad policy happens, and that's when lots and lots and lots of young Black men get incarcerated,' he said. 'That is the story of mass incarceration, and if we're not careful, we will relive that history.' Schiraldi has highlighted several accomplishments during his tenure with the agency such as the creation of the Thrive Academy. The program that began in 2023 in Baltimore City and Baltimore County to provide community-based, gun-violence prevention programs for youth at the highest risk of being a victim or perpetrator of gun violence. By July 1 of last year, it had expanded to 300 youths statewide. Maryland schools must now share information on students charged with serious crimes In terms of staffing, Schiraldi told the Senate committee in January the job vacancy rate at the department decreased from 16% when he arrived to 11% during that time. Schiraldi spent several decades in criminal justice and youth reform. He was director of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services in Washington, D.C.; a senior criminal justice adviser to former New York Mayor Bill De Blasio (D); a leader of the New York City Department of Corrections during which he tried to close the notorious Rikers Island jail complex and end solitary confinement; and senior researcher at the Columbia School of Social Work. 'Vinny Schiraldi brought decades of experience and innovative thinking to the task of running the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services,' Moore's statement said. 'He put immense energy and effort into his work and moved important new efforts forward – to include the award-winning Thrive Academy – and we thank him for his service.' Schiraldi, who said his work extends 45 years, plans to relax this summer fishing and hiking with his wife in the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. He declined to say what his plans are in the fall, but he isn't going to retire. 'Folks have been knocking on my door,' he said. 'I got a lot of things that I'm considering, but I haven't made any commitments to people yet, so I can't announce it. I'll be fighting mass incarceration again like I always have.'
CBS News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Acting Department of Juvenile Services secretary appointed after Vincent Schiraldi's departure
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore appointed an acting secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services after calls for the resignation of the previous secretary, Vincent Schiraldi. Betsy Fox Tolentino, who has 18 years of experience in criminal and juvenile justice advocacy, policy development, and building systems, will be the department's new secretary, according to the governor's office. The state has not said why Schiraldi is no longer the secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services. "Vinny Schiraldi brought decades of experience and innovative thinking to the task of running the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services," said Gov. Moore. "He put immense energy and effort into his work and moved important new efforts forward — to include the award-winning Thrive Academy -- and we thank him for his service."
