Representatives from the Maryland Office of the Public Defender proposed a new diversion program for first-time auto theft suspects between the ages of 18 and 21 during a meeting last week, but several city leaders were quick to push back against it.

A representative from the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office who was participating in the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) virtual meeting said the office was “not in a position where we can make a commitment on this” proposal.

Mayor Brandon Scott raised concerns as well, noting it was difficult to determine whether someone in that age range did not have a criminal record.

“The reality is, it happens all the time, we find out after the fact that [the] person has been doing this for a long time because none of us knew,” Mayor Scott said during the virtual meeting.

And, over the phone during the virtual CJCC meeting, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley was clear in his opposition to the proposal.

“We support diversion, but we are never going to support a diversion for a felony. Auto theft is still a felony,” Worley said.

FOX45 News questioned Mayor Scott on the proposal and what he believes needs to unfold to ensure people stop committing crimes.

“Ultimately, what we want is accountability, healing, and the victims to get restitution,” he said, noting that he did not tell BPD to move forward with the plan and is waiting for more data from OPD to explain if such diversionary programs are effective elsewhere.

“The police department in Baltimore City works at my order, and I’ve ordered them to make the arrests when people commit those crimes,” Mayor Scott said.

Angela Galeano, chief of staff at the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, said Ivan Bates has been clear in his opposition to such a diversionary program, and OPD knew that when they sought to partner with BPD instead.

“This is eerily similar to the challenges we’ve seen with DJS,” Galeano said. “I think the Public Defender’s Office seems to have misguided priorities.”

What happened at that meeting this week, was the Public Defenders’ Office attempting, yet again, to avoid seeking accountability for individuals committing crimes, Galeano added.

Involving the state’s attorney’s office in charging decisions is important for the criminal justice system to unfold, Galeano said, and by diverting the cases, the top prosecutors would not have input.

Galeano said diverting cases for these young adults could send a message that signals a lack of accountability.

“Without substantive data that shows previous successes in diversion programs, we have no way of knowing that this is a program that’s not going to lead them to believe that,” she said.

Questions to OPD asking for data indicating similar diversion programs are effective elsewhere for this group of young adults were not immediately answered Friday.

Have a news tip? Contact Mikenzie Frost at mbfrost@sbgtv.com.