NCJ Number
34751
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 43 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1976) Pages: 30-31 AND 90
Date Published
1976
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND RESULTS OF THIS LOS ANGELES PROGRAM IN WHICH POLICE MAKE DIRECT REFERRALS OF JUVENILES TO FIREFIGHTERS WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR FREE TIME AS JUVENILE COUNSELORS.
Abstract
FIREFIGHTERS PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM GENERALLY WORK WITH JUVENILES CHARGED WITH FIRST OR SECOND OFFENSES. MEETINGS BETWEEN THE COUNSELOR AND THE YOUTH BEGIN AS SOON AS THE INVESTIGATING POLICE OFFICER DETERMINES THAT THE YOUTH IS AMENABLE TO COUNSELING BY A FIREFIGHTER AND THE PARENTS AND YOUTH HAVE AGREED TO PARTICIPATE. MEETINGS ARE NORMALLY HELD ON A WEEKLY BASIS. IT IS NOTED THAT THE USE OF FIREFIGHTERS AS COUNSELORS OFFERS SEVERAL ADVANTAGES: FIREFIGHTERS PRESENT A MATURE AND STABLE MODEL FOR TROUBLED JUVENILES; THEY ARE AVAILABLE ON A 24 HOUR BASIS; THEY ARE AVAILABLE IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY; AND THEY CAN OPERATE AT VERY LOW COST TO THE CITY. REACTIONS OF POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY TO THIS PROGRAM ARE SAID TO BE VERY FAVORABLE.