NCJ Number
178725
Editor(s)
Kerryn Simmons
Date Published
1999
Length
42 pages
Annotation
The use of public space by youth in Australia was examined in 1998 with respect to the types of youth activities, existing initiatives and approaches to managing and regulating public spaces for everyone, and central themes and good practice.
Abstract
Results revealed that young people's use of public space has been shaped by the broader social changes that have resulted in high levels of youth unemployment and poverty. Most youth crime tends to be minor; few youth become serious and persistent offenders. However, youth crimes are highly visible. Governments around the world have used three major types of interventions regarding the use of public space: coercive, developmental, and accommodating. Youth attitudes suggest the need to explore developmental and accommodating approaches to juvenile delinquency prevention. Older people's reactions to youth in public spaces can range from apprehension to extreme hostility and ultimately may lead to some people avoiding these locations. Youth may feel that they are experiencing discrimination when they are regarded as antisocial even when not engaged in criminal behavior. Therefore, a strategic framework for dealing with this issue should recognize the needs of youth for public space. Public space should provide a wide range of useful facilities and services for youth of differing ages and backgrounds; youth should be encouraged to plan and manage events and ongoing activities. In addition, strategic plans for these areas should incorporate young people's concerns. Moreover, police and private security guards should receive training so that their interactions with youth are less confrontational and they are committed to multicultural service provision. Additional recommendations, photographs, appended methodological information, and 22 references