NCJ Number
95523
Date Published
1984
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This document identifies 26 innovative juvenile law enforcement programs that address alcohol and drug abuse, group violence, status and minor offenders, major and repeat offenders, crime in schools, and vandalism.
Abstract
Data were obtained from 48 responses to a survey of law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. Most responses were from the east and midwest and represented 19 States and the Virgin Islands. Overall, the survey found a wide range of approaches for dealing with juvenile alcohol and drug abuse, including prevention and education programs in schools, diversion, and prosecution. Common features of programs focusing on gangs were on gathering intelligence about gangs, assigning responsibility for youth gangs to a specific officer or unit, and expanding deterrence activities beyond the neighborhood to schools and families. Most innovative programs for status and minor offenders were diversionary, although they differed in eligibility criteria and ways to have youth accept responsibility for their actions. Effective programs for serious juvenile offenders provided appropriate treatment through diversion or prosecution. Successful enforcement programs in schools stationed officers in the school. Descriptions of the individual programs include date begun, goals or purpose, summary of activities, number of persons served and how, impact, problem areas, documentation available, and a contact person.