NCJ Number
192525
Date Published
October 1999
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This document describes the characteristics of the program Operation Night Light (ONL).
Abstract
ONL was developed to address the problem of youth who show the potential for violent crime, are at risk of becoming serious habitual offenders, and become involved in loose associations and gangs. These goals are met by the development of a juvenile/youth crime database and establishment of a police/probation response to bring the most serious repeat offenders under control. Participants must be on probation, between the ages of 10 and 24, and have certain risk factors. These risk factors include a history of family violence, drug, and/or gang activity, access to firearms, prior violent offense(s), and current warrant/probation violation status. Probationer and parental interviews showed that most juvenile probationers were aware of ONL. Three of the nine parents of the juveniles on probation reported that parenting had become easier for them due to the close working relationship they have with the Court Service Officer (CSO) and the home visits. Two parents reported that their child had become more defiant and harder to handle, or more secretive while on probation. The other group of three parents reported no change. The observed uses of ONL during ride-alongs with CSOs and police indicated a need to intensify the level of supervision for youths/young adults who fit the high risk profile, get the parents involved with child’ probation, and strengthen the relationships between CSO and client. Also, court services and the police relationships needed to be strengthened. Information sharing among CSOs, community police, and detectives should be increased in order to locate individuals with high-risk warrants. Based on this research, it was decided to revisit the initial risk factor criteria and decrease the age range at which ONL participants are selected. 6 references