POLICE-YOUTH COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM - A REVIEW REPORT CONCERNING THE PERFORMANCE AND IMPACT OF THE FARGO (ND) YOUTH DEPOT

• NCJ Number: 17504
• Author(s): T D MCDONALD
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 43 pages
• Corporate Author: North Dakota State University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

GENERAL GOAL-BY-GOAL EVALUATION OF A YOUTH CENTER SET UP TO DECREASE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND FOSTER A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE YOUTH AND POLICE IN THE COMMUNITY.

Abstract

THE FIVE PROGRAM GOALS ARE AS FOLLOWS: INCREASED UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND THE YOUTH OF THE COMMUNITY; PROVISION OF CULTURAL ARTS, EMPLOYMENT, AND GENERAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS; A 20% REDUCTION IN JUVENILE DELIQUENCY; SERVICE AS A YOUTH ACTIVITIES CENTER; AND SERVICE AS A DROP-IN CENTER. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT WHILE ALL GOALS HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY ACHIEVED (SOME TO A GREATER EXTENT THAN OTHERS), SEVERAL MAJOR PROBLEMS INHIBITED THE PROGRAM FROM APPROXIMATING ITS FULL POTENTIAL. THESE INCLUDE SOCIO-POLITICAL ANTECEDENTS WHICH CREATED A RESTRICTIVE COMMUNITY CLIMATE AND PROGRAM PROCEDURE, UNEVEN, UNREALISTIC PLANNING IN RELATION TO YOUTH NEEDS AND STAFF CAPABILITIES, AND POOR OR NON-EXISTENT INTRAAGENCY ORGANIZATION AND INTER-AGENCY COOPERATION. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE A REPORT ON A CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCEDURES WORKSHOP CONDUCTED BY THE DEPOT AND COMPARATIVE JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS FOR THE PROGRAM AND PRIOR YEARS.