DEERFIELD (IL) PLAN - A DELINQUENCY CONTROL BREAKTHROUGH

• NCJ Number: 44166
• Author(s): P J PITT
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 85 pages
• Corporate Author: Roosevelt University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: GRADUATE THESIS, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, SUMMER 1977

Annotation

THIS REPORT EXAMINES THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES WHICH WERE EMPLOYED TO ACHIEVE THE PROGRAM OBJECTIVE OF REDUCING VANDALISM AND CONTROLLING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY.

Abstract

THE DEERFIELD PLAN ACHIEVED A 39 PERCENT REDUCTION OF VANDALISM FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 1976 WITH RELATIVELY MODEST RESOURCES BUT THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF DISCIPLINE, ORGANIZATION, PLANNING, STAFFING, AND COORDINATION. THE REPORT DESCRIBES THE DELINQUENCY PROBLEM AND CHARACTERIZES THE VILLAGE OF DEERFIELD COMMUNITY. PROGRAM COMPONENTS ARE ANALYZED FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS; THE DISCUSSION INCLUDES AN EXAMINATION OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, PROGRAM PERSONNEL, AND THE OPERATIONAL PARTS OF THE PROGRAM. THE COMMUNITY IS INVOLVED IN SUPERVISING SUCH PROGRAM COMPONENTS AS A DROP-IN CENTER, AN INFORMALLY STRUCTURED MEETING PLACE FOR SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS AND YOUTHS WITH PROBLEMS; AND A YOUTHBOUND STRESS CHALLENGE PROGRAM, WHICH SPONSORS CAMPING TRIPS AND OFFERS OUTDOOR SURVIVAL INSTRUCTION FOR 'PROBLEM' YOUNGSTERS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE SUPERVISED BY YOUTH OFFICERS SELECTED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. OTHER COMPONENTS INCLUDE VARIOUS DIVERSION TECHNIQUES SUCH AS TURNING DELINQUENT YOUTHS OVER TO THEIR PARENTS OR TO A YOUTH JURY COMPRISED OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ASSESS THE CASES AND RECOMMEND A PUNISHMENT (E.G., WORK HOURS AT THE POLICE OR FIRE STATION, COMMUNITY HOUSE, PARK SYSTEM, OR OTHER AGENCIES; OR MONETARY RESTITUTION). VANDALISM AND MARIJUANA ORDINANCES 'DECRIMINALIZE' EACH OF THESE OFFENSES TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY ARE MADE 'QUASI-CRIMINAL' ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS, RESULTING IN FINES UPON CONVICTION AND PROSECUTED BY THE VILLAGE PROSECUTOR. A PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY ORDINANCE MAKES THE PARENTS LIABLE TO PAY UP TO $500 WHEN THEIR CHILD IS ARRESTED FOR THE SECOND OFFENSE OF VANDALISM IN A 12-MONTH PERIOD. AN 'OFFICER FRIENDLY/CRIME PREVENTION' PROGRAM INCLUDES A TEACHING PROGRAM IN SIX SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS NEIGHBORHOOD PREVENTION PROGRAMS TO ADVISE RESIDENTS. THE REPORT ALSO PRESENTS A DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THE YOUTH PROGRAM ITSELF. EVALUATION CRITERIA AND REPLICABILITY ARE DISCUSSED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED.