Reducing Crime by Investing in Youth Prevention and Intervention Programs

Submitted by: Crime Prevention Committee, Juvenile Justice & Child Protection Committee, and Victim Services Committee

CPC.003.t2017

WHEREAS, the members of the law enforcement profession work continuously to deter, decrease, and mitigate crime and enhance community well-being while holding perpetrators of crime accountable, and that the majority of juvenile delinquent acts can be deterred with the implementation of prevention and intervention programs based upon the needs of targeted juveniles; and

WHEREAS, there is widespread support among parents, educators, law enforcers, and public officials, for the implementation of juvenile prevention and intervention programs to address the cause of youth crime and delinquency and to promote youth safety; and

WHEREAS, evidence-based programs, promising practices, and shared lessons learned that steer youth away from crime and towards productive lives by increasing the access, affordability and quality of early education and care programs, out of school time programs, voluntary parent coaching programs to reduce child abuse and neglect, and community-based alternative programs; and

WHEREAS, investments in these programs more than pay for themselves in reduced crime and associated costs, reduced welfare and remedial education costs, and the increased revenue generated by the increased productivity of workers; now, be it therefore

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) do hereby call on all public officials to fully fund and implement crime prevention and intervention programs that are evidence based or prove promising to encourage prosocial behavior, strengthen families, increase public and school safety and community engagement, and improve youth development and community outcomes overall.