NCJ Number
17377
Date Published
1973
Length
32 pages
Annotation
THE 'DEPOT' IS A YOUTH CENTER SET UP AS THE MAIN PART OF THE CITY'S POLICE-YOUTH COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM.
Abstract
THE STATED PROBLEM AND REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE INDICATED THAT THE PROGRAM POPULATION HAD CHANGED FROM A 'STRAIGHT' SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GROUP TO A DELINQUENT AND PRE-DELINQUENT JUNIOR HIGH AGE GROUP WHO HAD A LIMITED ATTENTION SPAN AND A POORLY DEVELOPED SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY. THE PROGRAM WAS ANALYZED ON THE BASIS OF STRUCTURED, INFORMATION GATHERING INTERVIEWS WITH KEY PERSONNEL AND PARTICIPANTS AND THROUGH DIRECT PROGRAM OBSERVATION. EACH ELEMENT OF THE PROGRAM WAS EXAMINED IN LIGHT OF ITS MAIN PROBLEM, COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE. FIFTEEN SEPARATE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE IN REGARD TO MODIFYING AND IMPROVING THE PROGRAM. THEY INCLUDED GIVING TOP BUDGETARY PRIORITY TO REGULAR JANITORIAL AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES, DEVELOPING PROGRAM ACTIVITIES TO MAKE THE DEPOT MORE THAN JUST A 'HANGOUT', INVOLVING PARENTS,AND INTERESTED CITIZENS IN THE PROGRAM THROUGH AN AGGRESSIVE OUTREACH PROGRAM, AND CONTINUING THE WEEKEND POLICE OFFICER COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM. A TEN-PAGE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED AT THE END OF THIS REPORT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)