Juvenile Delinquency and Crime
Goal: Increase access to behavioral programs and informal and formal support systems to reduce juvenile delinquent behavior.
Measure
There are two measures for this category: 1) total juvenile arrests in Saginaw County (years 2000, 2003, 2006) for ages 10-16 and 17 year olds from the 2009 State of Michigan Report on Juvenile Justice; and 2) juvenile arrests demographic data from the 2008 Michigan Department of Human Services Juvenile Crime Report (2005 Data).
Why This Indicator is Important
Juvenile delinquency refers to illegal activities committed by a minor. Such acts can be diverse in their seriousness and their effects on others. At the low end of the seriousness continuum are status offenses, which are behaviors that are not illegal if performed by an adult (e.g., truancy, running away). Evidence has shown the primary determinants of antisocial behavior in juveniles are association with deviant peers, poor family relations, and school difficulties. Just as School Readiness Data can predict school success, Juvenile Delinquency Data can be directly linked to the dropout rate and poverty.
How Are We Doing?
According to arrest data, Saginaw County has increased in total number of Juveniles (ages 10-16) arrested while the 17 year old arrests have remained steady (with a slight decrease in 2003). The data is similar to that of the State of Michigan.
In all arrest classifications, Saginaw County is at or below state averages. In the 2006 report, while Michigan saw an increase in all crimes including violent crimes (rape, aggravated assault, homicide and robbery) for 10 to 16 year olds, Saginaw County’s rates did not increase, except for robbery. However, whereas Michigan arrest rates for 17 year olds saw a decrease overall, rates remained unchanged in Saginaw.
Saginaw County arrest rates per 1000 for juveniles age 10-16 remain above Michigan’s. When arrestees are examined, Saginaw County and Michigan have similar arrest rates when compared by age groups. However, when the percentage of juvenile arrests is examined by gender and race, the state of Michigan is significantly higher in all categories (Female, White, and Black), except for Hispanic (although the percentage of Hispanic juvenile arrests as a total remains extremely low in Saginaw and Michigan).
In all arrest classifications, Saginaw County is at or below state averages. In the 2006 report, while Michigan saw an increase in all crimes including violent crimes (rape, aggravated assault, homicide and robbery) for 10 to 16 year olds, Saginaw County’s rates did not increase, except for robbery. However, whereas Michigan arrest rates for 17 year olds saw a decrease overall, rates remained unchanged in Saginaw.
Saginaw County arrest rates per 1000 for juveniles age 10-16 remain above Michigan’s. When arrestees are examined, Saginaw County and Michigan have similar arrest rates when compared by age groups. However, when the percentage of juvenile arrests is examined by gender and race, the state of Michigan is significantly higher in all categories (Female, White, and Black), except for Hispanic (although the percentage of Hispanic juvenile arrests as a total remains extremely low in Saginaw and Michigan).
How Can You Have An Impact?
- The Department of Education reports that youths are most likely to commit crimes between 2pm and 8pm, with crime rates peaking after school at 3pm. Encourage children to participate in sports, recreational programs, and other after school clubs and activities.
- Know who your child’s closest peers are.
- Help your children succeed in school by taking an active role in parenting.
- Teach your child about the negative effects of drugs, theft, weapons, and gangs.
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