This paper will focus on the juvenile statistics gathered in 2008; the decrease in arrests, increase in narcotic offenses, simple assaults as well as the implications for juvenile females and minorities will be discussed and examined. Overall Decrease In comparison to the statistics gathered in the 90s, in 2008 there was an overall decrease in juvenile delinquent actions and arrests. Most likely in relation to the introduction of crack cocaine in the late 80s, throughout the 90s there was an extensive increase in violent offenses involving juvenile offenders; this is in relation to the increase in gang activity and extensive narcotic trade that took place. In 2008 16% of all violent crime arrests and 26% of all property crime arrests were committed by juveniles (Puzzanchera, 2009). “In 2008, law enforcement agencies in the United States made an estimated 2.11 million arrests of persons younger than age 18.
The Overall Decrease in Juvenile Arrests Overall Review Data from 2008 shows that juvenile arrests for violent crime declined between 2006 and 2008. According to Puzzanchera (2009) “In 2008 there were 2.11 million juvenile arrests, which is 16% lower than the arrests in 1999” (p.3). In 2008 juvenile arrests for forcible rape was at an all time low since 1980, aggravated assault arrests were also at its lowest since 1988. However, juvenile arrests for murder were at its low in 2004, but increased from 2005 to 2007. Further, the Property Crime Index decreased by 20%, larceny-theft by 17%, murder by 5%, motor vehicle theft by 50%, and burglary by 14% (Puzzanchera, 2008).
The juvenile arrest rate for each of these offenses has been declining steadily since the mid-1990s; for murder, the rate fell 70% and manslaughter arrest rate fell 40% from its 1993 peak through 2001. (Snyder, 2003) More specifically, “juveniles were involved in 10% of murder arrests, 14% of aggravated assault arrests, 31% of burglary arrests, 24% of robbery arrests, and 23% of weapons arrest in 2001” (Snyder, 2003). In addition, there were significant decreases in juvenile arrests for property crimes in 2001, which reached its lowest level since the 1960s and juvenile arrest rates for burglary declined 66% between 1980 and 2001. Female Juveniles and Crime The National Center for Juvenile Justice
Also, without the inclusion of rehabilitation programs offered in 2008 with their successes and failures, the reader sees only part of the “big picture”. It would be interesting to know the percentage of recidivism for delinquents attending these programs, such as anger management and violence prevention classes while incarcerated or not. By including data concerning available rehab programs, the reader, whether law enforcement or the private citizen, can gain knowledge about the rehabilitation this country offers and the degree of success. The article indicates that juvenile arrests, as a whole, were fewer in 2008 than in 2007. Burglary arrests were slightly higher 2007 and 2008, but remained markedly less than in the 90’s.
Juvenile Crime Statistics After a decade of growth, the incidence of violent crime in America suddenly began to drop in the mid-1990s. Criminologists propose various reasons for the sudden turnaround in violent crime. Explanations include a strong economy, changing demographics, changes in the market for illegal drugs and the use of firearms, expanded imprisonment, policing innovations, and a growing cultural intolerance for violent behavior. Regardless of which explanation one favors, it is clear that previous increases as well as recent decreases in violent crime were disproportionately generated by the nation’s youth. Criminal behavior has always been more prevalent among young people.
Much of the argument over stop and frisk lies in numbers.” For instance, the NYPD says its policy has led to a falling murder rate and more gun seizures, with homicides down 21 percent this year and the number of illicit guns seized up 31 percent from last year”(Huffington post). If this tactic results in this much of a drop in homicides and an increase of thirty one percent in illicit guns seized, why not use it. This tactic obviously helps keep the streets a little safer. Most if not all cities that imply stop and frisk experience a dramatic drop in crime rate. “The reality is that crime has gone way down in New York City and that stop and frisk has certainly contributed to it.
In recent years, the average age for first arrest has dropped significantly, and younger boys and girls are committing these crimes. Between 60-80% of adolescents, and pre-adolescents engage in some form of juvenile offending [2].These can range from status offenses (such as underage smoking), to property crimes, to violent crimes. The percent of teens who offend is so high that it would seem to be a cause for worry. However, juvenile offending can be considered normative adolescent behaviour [3]. This is because most teens tend to offend by committing non-violent crimes, only once or a few times, and only during adolescence.
‘Widely publicized school shootings during the late 1990’s and early years of the twenty-first century have raised public concerns about rising adolescent violence and created the perception that juvenile delinquency is increasing.’ Statistics shows that juvenile crime rates are actually declining. In 2001, the total number of juvenile arrests was 2.3 million—a figure 4 percent below the total for 2000 and 20 percent below the 1997 total….. However this is a situation that evolved over the years and has not been dealt with appropriately and it can lead to murder, burglary, suicide, school dropout and a state of depression as well. I strongly agree that juvenile delinquency is most prominent in the secondary educational system and it can hamper the child’s ability to learn and it can also cause a nervous breakdown of the child’s nervous system. The three major factors in the secondary educational system that contribute to juvenile delinquency are single parent families, delinquent peers and the mass media.
However, some experts believe the rates have declined because the baby boomer generations are aging, so the percentage of young adults has declined. Some believe that the tougher or harsher sentences for crimes are a cause and there is evidence of this based on the increased prison populations. According to "Where Have All The Burglars Gone?" (2013), "Could more criminals being locked up be the answer? The number of people behind bars has grown substantially in many countries over the past 20 years.” (para.
As stated in an article What Accounts for the Decline by IMROHOROG˘ LU etal (2004), "The most noticeable decline over this time has been observed for property crimes, which account for over 90 percent of all crimes [in United States]. "(pp.707) Most of these crimes were committed by youth. However the fraction of youth declined and so did the number of crimes they committed. Another factor that lead to a decline in the crime rate is the law enforcement. IMROHOROG˘ LU etal (2004) point out that "expenditures on police protection have increased from 0.6 percent of GDP in 1980 to 0.7 percent of GDP in 1996."