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LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS |
Youth at Risk and Juvenile Crime
- Access to public parks and recreational facilities has been strongly linked to reductions in crime and in particular to reduced juvenile delinquency. (Why America Needs More City parks & Open Space, Trust for Public Land, 2003)
- Research shows that recreation programs build leadership and enhance self-esteem in youth, especially youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Teens who do not participate in after school programs are nearly three times more likely to skip classes than teens who do participate. They are also three times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs, and they are more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and engage in sexual activity. (YMCA, March 2001)
- Research shows that juvenile crime triples between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Numerous studies have shown that after school programs can significantly reduce juvenile crime and reduce the victimization of children by other juveniles (Fight Crime, Invest in Kids program).
- In Multnomah County, Oregon, it costs taxpayers $72,000 to incarcerate a juvenile for one year ($215/day). It costs taxpayers approximately $85.00 a year per youth for recreation services.
- Research supports the widely held belief that community involvement in neighborhood parks is correlated with lower levels of crime. (Why America Needs More City parks & Open Space, Trust for Public Land, 2003)
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