Residents demand answers, tougher juvenile accountability at Baltimore County town hall

Residents demand answers, tougher juvenile accountability at Baltimore County town hall

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — On Wednesday, Baltimore County Police as well as local and state leaders held their third and final public safety town hall.

During introductions before public comment began, Baltimore County Councilman and County Executive Democratic nominee Julian Jones said, "But the reality is, the reason Baltimore County is so safe is because of you."

Some community members in attendance began to laugh.

ALSO READ | Baltimore County residents press leaders as juvenile crime, carjackings fuel fear

The meeting lasted more than an hour, with more than a dozen residents expressing their frustration and hurt from the personal interactions they've had with crime. Many of them asked questions, with leaders giving immediate answers or directing them to someone who can.

"Hello, my name is Tina Tunstalle."

Tina Tunstalle was among the first few people in line to stand before Police Chief Robert McCullough, State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger and Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino.

I am the mother of Tyler Tunstalle. Tyler was gunned down May the 14th of 2025 of last year in front of Lansdowne High School, where there are eight cameras. I haven't had any answers," Turstalle said.

Chief McCullough responded with sympathy to the family, adding, “We’re doing everything we can to clear this case.”

Others who took to the microphone spoke on crime in the area.

"Towson is dying. Towson Mall [Towson Town Center] is about 40% dead. The problem is crime in Towson, and it is out of control," one man said. "My son went to Towson High School. He was armed robbed in Towson High School."

One woman said because of a business, "we cannot have our kids outside playing. We cannot sit and relax outside on our front porches, screaming and yelling all through the night for hours...our cries are falling on deaf ears."

Some expressed concerns about vehicle accidents and road safety issues, like one man who said: "I don't think there's anybody here who doesn't understand the issues on Reisterstown Road, on Liberty Road, on Old Court Road."

Juvenile crime was mentioned many times, with some asking what programs are available for the youth, and about accountability.

"I'd like to hear more about how you're going to address accountability," one woman said. "Because not only with the youth, but also with parents."

"I really hope that everybody really starts pounding on Annapolis to start changing the juvenile laws," said a man that leaders appeared to agree with. "That's where it starts. It's not going to start down here at the Baltimore County level. It happens in Annapolis."

"I have been in Annapolis for 20 years fighting to keep the juvenile laws solid," Shellenberger replied. "I've testified a million times against changing some of the juvenile laws when they try to make them a little bit more liberal."

"There's members of your state delegation in this room right now," Chief Robert McCullough said. "I hope they heard what you said, okay, because what you said, I've said numerous times to them, okay? It'd be nice to have them hear it."

Councilman Jones thanked Delegate Dana Stein and Senator Shelly Hettleman for attending the meeting.

Watch Wednesday's public safety town hall at the video above

FOX45 News contacted every single delegate and senator of Baltimore County on Thursday asking:

- What are you doing in Annapolis to help address concerns about juvenile crime law and crime overall?

- Have you been listening in to the town hall meetings? If so, what are your thoughts on them, and are you planning to address any concerns in Annapolis?

So far, Senator Hettleman replied saying:

I attended last night's meeting so I could listen to residents' concerns about crime and other issues in the community. One of my constituents expressed her concerns about what could be done to prevent young people from getting into trouble rather than having to wait until after they get into trouble to provide them with services. The DJS Secretary mentioned that one of her goals is to communicate and better coordinate with the Baltimore County School Superintendent so that when students are having behavioral issues, they can be addressed more immediately in public schools."

Our Baltimore County Senate and House delegations just had a virtual meeting with the new Superintendent this afternoon, so I put that question to him and he said that he will be meeting with the Chief of Police soon and believes there are a number of things that can be done in schools to help prevent juvenile crime: getting to know students; identify the needs of students and families through our community schools program, mentorship, bringing in community ambassadors that can break down barriers. I look forward to working with our new school leadership on these ideas to prevent juvenile crime."

Delegate Szeliga replied back writing:

Juvenile crime, including teen takeovers and carjackings, is too frequent and disrupts the safety and well-being of our communities. Unfortunately, Annapolis has a history of experimenting with public safety. I advocated against and voted no on the passage of the Youth Charging Reform Act of 2026, which actually reduces penalties and consequences for juvenile crime! This new law makes some crimes by juveniles legal and lacks accountability for violent juvenile offenders. It's not surprising that juvenile crime is not getting better."

Baltimore County residents have been clear; people are very concerned about crime, and our communities feel unsafe. Law enforcement is working hard, but often is limited by bad policies passed in Annapolis. I will continue to fight for common-sense solutions to make Baltimore County a safer place for everyone."