Juvenile arrests drop from high rate
Juvenile arrests have dropped for a third consecutive year, down from what had been one of the highest teen crime rates in the state.
According to McMinnville Police Capt. Bryan Denton, the number of juveniles arrested during the second quarter of the year was down more than half from the number arrested the same quarter of last year. In total, 17 persons under the age of 18 were detained under various charges between April and June, compared to 44 last year and 46 in 2002 during the same quarters.
The welcome news comes after a TBI report, based on 2001 numbers, revealed Warren County-McMinnville had a juvenile crime rate double the rate of any other county its size. That year, in McMinnville, there were 219 juvenile arrests, besting second place Tullahoma with 102. The report showed one in every six persons arrested in McMinnville that year were under the age of 18.
The consistent reduction in juvenile arrests, which has come despite the fact the adult arrest rate has remained fairly constant, has authorities hoping the rate is a sign of things to come.
“We’re certainly glad to see it,” said Juvenile Court Judge Larry Ross, who said he has noted a drop in the size of juvenile dockets as of late.
While lawmen agree the upcoming third quarter, which covers most of school summer vacation, is normally the highest offending quarter for juveniles, the consistent drop in overall juvenile numbers could mean youth-based programs are working.
“I think this may be all the work being done with the youth is paying off,” said Denton. “Programs like Kids of the Community and DARE, and church programs, may be giving another outlet to juveniles.”