In recent years, violent crimes have occurred in places that shock the conscience: there was the attempted murder of a middle school student on a bus, and an actual murder in a graveyard during a funeral.
Even more recently, kids have brought guns to school, there鈥檚 been hateful vandalism in public libraries and other parts of the country have seen shootings inside churches.
Now, state lawmakers in Prince George鈥檚 County, Maryland, are proposing tougher sentences for crimes that happen in certain 鈥渟acred spaces.”
is being led through the Maryland House of Delegates by Del. Tiffany Alston, and has about two dozen sponsors already. The list includes lawmakers from both parties.
鈥淚t is a 10-year enhancement. It鈥檚 at the discretion of the judge,鈥� Alston said, ahead of the initial hearing on the bill. 鈥淪acred places as defined by the bill include places of worship, schools, educational facilities, and medical facilities like hospitals.”
鈥淲hen we are at our most vulnerable state, this is not the time to prey on people,鈥� Alston added. 鈥淭his is not the time to commit violent felonies and acts of crime.鈥�
Prince George鈥檚 County State鈥檚 Attorney Aisha Braveboy said if the bill passes, the enhancement would work similarly to how hate crime statutes work.
鈥淭here would be the underlying offense that the individual would be sentenced for,鈥� Braveboy explained, 鈥渂ut then they can also 鈥� receive an enhanced sentence because they committed a crime in a sacred place.鈥�
That enhanced sentence could be anywhere from as little as one day to 10 years, depending on the severity of the crime. It would be up to the judge to impose it.
Backing it in the upper chamber is state Sen. Anthony Muse, who is also a pastor in Prince George鈥檚 County.
鈥淲e should not be in so-called ‘safe places’ in which we are most vulnerable and be constantly worried about a tragedy happening,鈥� Muse said. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e in a church and someone comes up to a church door what do you do? Do you immediately say 鈥業鈥檝e got to check you, see if you have a gun?’ That doesn鈥檛 happen there.
“I never thought I鈥檇 see the day where we鈥檇 be surrounded by security in our churches but we are,鈥� he added.
The bill would only apply to juveniles if they鈥檙e being charged as an adult. While the bill had its first legislative hearing and public comment period on Tuesday, a full committee vote won鈥檛 come until later this month.
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