NCJ Number
203153
Date Published
May 2003
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This analysis of 2001 arrest data for juvenile offenders in Erie County (PA) addresses recent trends, offender demographics, violent crime trends, crime index arrests, characteristics of violent offenders, other crimes committed by juveniles, and a comparison of Erie County and other third-class urban county juvenile arrests in Pennsylvania.
Abstract
In 2001, Erie County had 2,590 juvenile arrests, a 13-percent decrease in the number of juvenile arrests from 2000 and a 28-percent decrease from the peak year of 1994. More than 70 percent of the arrests were for less serious, non-index offenses, primarily disorderly conduct, liquor law violations, and minor assaults. At most, 2 percent were arrested for a serious property offense. Less than one-half of 1 percent of all juveniles were arrested for a serious violent crime. Between 1990 and 2001, arrests for violent crimes among White juveniles in Erie County decreased 17 percent, from 70 to 58; and among Black juveniles, arrests decreased 20 percent, from 71 to 57. In 2001, White youth were responsible for 58 of the 116 juvenile violent crime arrests, and Black youth were responsible for 57 of such arrests. The arrests for the two races have remained relatively unchanged from 1990. Data are provided on weapons arrests and drug offense arrests. Compared to other Pennsylvania counties with similar demographics, Erie County ranks third among six counties. 14 figures, 4 tables, and 12 references