The factors causing this trend include the presence of unsafe homes and/or communities, gang related shootings within the community, increased drug use among adults and adolescents, easy access to alcohol and drugs, an absence of healthy, positive role models, and the overwhelming prevalence of poverty in the community. In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy struck Somerset County, hitting the Crisfield area particularly hard, adding to the burden of already poverty-stricken families and playing a role in the spike in juvenile violent offenses. The number of students participating in Free and Reduced Meals in the public school system has risen this year, indicating that poverty is increasing as well.In our elementary schools, 75% of children enrolled receive Free and Reduced Meals; the rate increased by 1.3% from the previous school year.The rate for middle school students increased by 1% to reach 74.6%, and for high school students, it jumped 5.4% to reach 68.1% (Maryland Report Card, 2014).Typically, the lower high school rate can be tied to youth employment and increased wages in their families, so an increase of this size suggests an alarming expansion of poverty in Somerset County.

FY15 LMB strategies to improve these indicators:

Addressing violence as a norm, parents’ use of violence as a means to settle conflict, and teaching appropriate methods of solving conflict reduces the risk of juvenile violent and serious non-violent arrests, and later arrests as adults.Changing views on violence as a norm will also impact gang activity, general crime, and improve community safety.