Poll: Marylanders favor tough-on-crime approach to youth violence

A new poll found that most Maryland residents, including Black Democrats, support a tough-on-crime stance toward youth violence, favoring laws that include detention and boot camps for juveniles over laws that prescribe social programs and counseling. Fifty-nine percent of Maryland residents said strict laws would “ultimately better help children under 18 who commit crimes” while 35 percent said laws characterized as more lenient, which acknowledge society bears responsibility for much of the behavior, would be the best strategy, according to a Gonzales Research poll released Tuesday.