Connecticut Republicans want state lawmakers to hold a special session on juvenile crime. This comes after a teen struck and killed a jogger while driving a stolen vehicle in New Britain last week.
New Britain police said the suspect was a repeat juvenile offender. Chief Christopher Chute said the juvenile justice system fails to hold kids accountable and allows them to reoffend.
“The current system did not set a path for these offenders tor rehabilitate and become law abiding adults; the current system did not find the root cause of these problems and correct them; the current system did not protect the public from their behavior; the current did the exact opposite,” Chute said.
New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart wants lawmakers to fix the failures of the state juvenile system.
Democrats have said a special session is unlikely. They want more research to determine if there is a spike in juvenile car theft. Governor Ned Lamont has committed $5 million dollars to study any trends and causes.
Leaders of the state Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
