July 8, 2021

Kennedy Calls for Action on Juvenile Crime Crisis

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MILFORD—Calling for immediate legislative action, State Rep. Kathy Kennedy (R-119) joined a petition effort to bring all state lawmakers into session to implement reforms on the juvenile crime crisis that has gripped communities throughout the state.

Rep. Kennedy said, “Our residents deserve to be protected and shouldn’t be made to fear for the lives or loss of property. We need stricter consequences for these repeat juvenile offenders and more flexibility for our law enforcement officers to do their job and detain offenders in the best interest of public safety before more people are hurt or God forbid killed.”

The House Republican caucus along with chief elected officials and top law enforcement officials from New Britain and Wolcott—the sites of crimes last week that intensified the spotlight on the state’s juvenile justice system. The crime in New Britain, where a 53-year-old pedestrian was killed when he was struck by a stolen vehicle, raised alarm statewide when it was revealed that a 17-year-old charged in connection with the crime had been arrested 13 times in less than four years.

Addressing motor vehicle thefts by juveniles has been a top priority for House Republicans since the January session. Ultimately, Democrat lawmakers would not act on Republican proposals to hold juveniles—repeat offenders, in particular—accountable for the serious criminal acts they commit.

In their call for action Wednesday, the Kennedy and other Republican lawmakers say the General Assembly must enact legislation concerning juveniles who are repeat felony offenders. Among the concepts they say should be considered are:

– Allowing courts to order investigations of family circumstances of repeat offenders, authorizing post-arrest detention if such juveniles are deemed to be risks to public safety;
– Eliminating the six-hour limit on detaining such juveniles without a court order;
– Requiring courts to electronically monitor juveniles charged with stealing a car while they are awaiting trial for car theft until criminal proceedings are resolved.

The governor can also call members of the General Assembly into a special legislative session. While lawmakers can call themselves back to Hartford by petition—a majority of the membership in each chamber, House and Senate, must file petitions with the office of the Secretary of the State.