GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.,– (March 18, 2014) Fewer young people in Grand Rapids are committing crimes, according to a new report released Tuesday. The Grand Rapids Juvenile Offense Index Report (GRJOI) analyzed records from 2006-2012 and found a more than 44 percent drop in unique youth arrests and status offenses (i.e. curfew violations and runaway behavior).
The report also found a 30 percent decline in reported juvenile crime offenses within that same time period.
Mayor George Heartwell joined Police Chief Kevin Belk in releasing the news Tuesday afternoon at the Grand Rapids Police Department. Both credit community agencies working together with the city and Grand Rapids Public School district for the decline, along with an increase in after-school programs over the past ten years.
“It’s having those programs for those young people after school that keeps them off the street, keeps them out of trouble, and gives them something not only positive to do, but educational,” explained Mayor Heartwell.
According to the report, the prime-times for juvenile crimes are 2-4pm and 7-9pm.
To read the full report, clickhere.
