Pre-arrest citation data and education efforts highlighted as youth batteries rise
Summary
The board reviewed October pre-arrest delinquency citation data (32 battery charges among the month's cases), discussed outreach and awareness strategies for youth and parents, and noted education initiatives tied to truancy and threat assessment.
Board members reviewed recent pre-arrest delinquency citation figures and strategies to reduce youth involvement.
Director Judy Royston told the group that for October the program processed 84 citations in the community and 59 in schools, with a dominant charge of 32 batteries for the month; domestic-violence batteries were lower in that month (six incidents), she said. Royston emphasized that many cases involve youth who may not understand the seriousness of written threats or online conduct and that diversion and counseling are commonly part of sanctions.
Members discussed education efforts for students and parents. The board referenced school resource officer (SRO) classroom presentations, a school-threat committee that reviews threat assessments, and county pamphlets and QR-code stickers from the anti-bullying advisory committee to help families monitor internet access and understand potential criminal consequences. Several members recommended increasing face-to-face survey and outreach in court lobbies and detention centers to improve parental engagement in programming.
No immediate policy change was adopted; members asked subcommittees and partners to continue outreach and to coordinate training across agencies.
