NCJ Number
93125
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1984) Pages: 1-6
Date Published
1984
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The youth services unit (YSU) of New York's Port Authority Police, which consists of teams with a plainclothes officer, a social worker, a secretary, and a police sergeant supervisor, identifies runaways at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, contacts their parents, and refers them to appropriate community services.
Abstract
The YSU is close to but separate from the Port Authority police station, and it operates 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. In 1981, the YSU made 2,996 contacts with juveniles inside the terminal. Of these 1,700 males and 1,296 females, 1,228 were runaways. The goal of the unit is to help the contacted youth deal with their problems outside of the formal juvenile system and prevent them from being exploited and victimized while in a state of vulnerability. If at all feasible, most runaways are returned directly to their families. If abuse by parents is suspected, the youths are given shelter by Protective Services while an investigation is conducted. It has been estimated that the State has saved $1.1 million annually through the diversion efforts of the YSU. The unit has been successful in obtaining the cooperation of other community agencies charged with providing services to juveniles, and it has developed a directory of community services and resources which details the types of services offered. The teams have been instrumental in helping youths obtain jobs, take advantage of educational opportunities, and receive social, medical and legal services.