The continuous acts of violent crime within our environment affects our Maryland residents, especially the children, our future leaders. Families grieve over loved ones lost by violent crime and this is not an unconventional/irregular thing for the residents of Maryland. Very many people are losing their lives every day due to violent crimes such as shootings, assault, and stabbings. It is critical that this issue is adjusted: when children grow up in an environment where they are exposed to violent crime, they are more likely to become violent criminals in their adulthood life. A solution to violent crime that can break the cycle of violence in Maryland is what the Maryland General Assembly should aim for. A solution that will ensure that children are not negatively influenced to become violent based on the environment in which they grow up. Despite the stringent gun laws in Maryland, the rate of violent crime continues to rise indicating that policies implemented in the …show more content…
Maryland lawmakers are indecisive regarding the best way to reduce the high rates of murder. A bill has been proposed to impose harsher criminal penalties against violent criminals (Wiggins). Some legislators, defense lawyers, and civil rights activists are opposing the bill because of the adverse effects of tough penalties. Supporters of the bill argue that the tough penalties are targeting repeat violent offenders and that it will avert crime in the long-term (Wiggins). Repressive policies such as tougher penalties will be perceptibly inefficacious as they have failed in the past. One of the solutions that can deal with the issue of crime is increased funding for behavioral intervention programs that target youths at risk of engaging in violence because of the environment in which they