NEWS & VIEWS
Reports
2014 School Crime and Safety Report
Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2014 presents key findings on national crime and safety culled from data on school violence, victimization, and related deaths. Preliminary data showed 45 school-associated violent deaths over a 1-year period. In 2013, among 12- to 18-year-old students, about 1,420,900 nonfatal victimizations occurred at school, including 454,900 theft victimizations and 966,000 violent victimizations.
Teen Court Involvement Lowers Recidivism
Multijurisdictional Teen Court Evaluation: A Comparative Evaluation of Three Teen Court Models translates data on the processes, outcomes, and perspectives of Maryland's Teen Courts, which emphasize youth decision making. The study saw lower recidivism rates among youth who completed a teen court program.
News
Chicago Cops Coach Youth Baseball League
The Englewood Police Youth Baseball League is counteracting violence with sports, uniting young athletes from crime-ridden neighborhoods with local police. Chicago, Ill. cops coach the coed teams and build trusting relationships with city youth. The league launched in May in partnership with Get In Chicago, a program that works to eliminate juvenile violence.
Rethinking School Discipline
On July 22, the White House hosted a national conference, Rethink School Discipline, on improving school discipline policies and practices. Breakout sessions discussed the root cause of discipline disparities, effective codes of conduct, alternatives to exclusionary school discipline, roles for law enforcement and courts, and how to recognize trauma. Addressing an audience of educators, state and local officials, and other stakeholders, Attorney General Loretta Lynch spoke about OJJDP's partnership with the Department of Education and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to support policies and practices that improve school climates, respond to students' behavioral needs, and avoid referring youth to the juvenile justice system.
STEP Interns Prep for Summer Jobs
This summer, Newport News's (Va.) STEP program has placed hundreds of young adults in summer jobs around the city. Some kids are working in the private sector, others are interns with the local government, and others are employed at nonprofits, higher education, or faith-based organizations. The program, funded as part of the city's $1.1 million youth and gang violence prevention initiative, also has a new financial literacy component, in which all participants open and maintain a bank account.
Oakland Celebrates Positive City Changes
At an event hosted by Oakland Unite, the program that oversees the city's violence prevention strategies, residents celebrated the success of their antiviolence initiatives, which officials say have taken a holistic approach to public safety. Oakland is working to address root causes of violence: poverty, poor schools, and lack of job opportunities. Music and an awards presentation by Mayor Libby Schaaf capped off the night.
Two Hundred Youth Jobs Come to Boston
Boston, Mass., has created 200 more jobs this summer for city youth. The push for new positions came from Mayor Marty Walsh, who said "summer jobs provide more than just a source of income for our young people." Boston already places more than 10,000 youths while school is out of session.
City Council Keeps Juveniles Out of Prison
Juvenile defendants awaiting trial at in New Orleans's Criminal District Court (La.) on certain charges will stay at the Youth Study Center, not Orleans Parish Prison, the City Council recently decided. This temporary measure looks to separately house children and adults charged with crimes and reduce the risk of physical and emotional abuse.
Summer Program in L.A. Reduces Gang-Related Crime
Los Angeles, Calif., has launched the second year of its Summer Night Lights program at 32 parks across the city. Run by the Mayor's Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development, the summertime initiative drew more than 900,000 residents in 2014 for late-night basketball, flag football, Zumba, and arts and crafts clinics, while serving more than 560,000 meals in targeted at-risk parks. The year before, L.A. reported an associated drop in gang-related crime of about 15 percent.
L.A. Documentary Shows Potential for Seattle
License to Operate, a documentary on former Los Angeles gang members, followed outreach workers who partnered with police to reduce city violence. Producers teamed with A Better L.A. Foundation, an organization founded in 2003 by then-University of Southern California football coach Pete Carroll. According to L.A. Police Department Chief Charlie Beck, this intervention model has reduced gang violence in the city by 50 percent.
Responding to Violent Crime in Long Beach
The entire city of Long Beach, Calif., is responding to a recent surge in violent crime. Police reported 18 shootings and 5 killings in June, and July has seen 5 shootings and 2 stabbing deaths. Officials held a public meeting with ministers concerned about the violence, and city police and fire personnel are working with community partners, neighborhood organizations, nonprofit groups, and government agencies to end the bloodshed.
2016 National Crime Victims' Service Awards
In observance of the 2016 National Crime Victims' Rights Week, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) will recognize individuals, teams, programs, and organizations that provide outstanding service in support of crime victims. Award recipients will be honored during an April 10–16, 2016, ceremony in Washington, D.C. A new category—the Tomorrow's Leaders Award—will spotlight youths up to age 24 for efforts to stop bullying, domestic violence, child abuse, and other crimes. Nominations are due July 30, 2015, through OVC's Online Nomination Form.
Other Resources
Trauma's Effects on Children
Repeated exposure to violent trauma can significantly affect psychiatric and neuropsychiatric development, especially among children. "Childhood Trauma and Its Effects: Implications for Police" explains the mental, physical, and emotional difficulties traumatized children face and how police must carefully respond. Officers should be aware of severe childhood trauma in certain communities, recognize its effects on a developing child, and understand its impact on adolescent and adult functioning.
Engaging Transitioning Youth
Zach, a former AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) member, shares his experience with civic engagement as a young adult. NCCC's mission is to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service.
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