Outcome: Children and youth are aware of, appreciate, and demonstrate behaviors of personal and social responsibility
IN 2010, THE JUVENILE VIOLENT CRIME RATE IN TRAVIS COUNTY WAS 150.1 PER 100,000
Significance of Indicator: The National Institute of Health reports that there are four types of costs incurred as a result of crime:
- victim costs: direct economic losses suffered by crime victims
- criminal justice system costs
- crime career costs: opportunity costs associated with the criminal’s choice to engage in illegal rather than legal and productive activities
and - intangible costs: indirect losses suffered by crime victims, including pain and suffering, decreased quality of life, and psychological distress.
Furthermore, juvenile criminal activity is associated with higher criminal activity as an adult.
How we are doing on this Indicator: The juvenile crime rate in Travis County and Texas has generally been lower than the national rate. The Travis County rate was slightly higher in Travis County than in Texas. In all three jurisdictions, juvenile crimes rates have dropped since 2006. In Travis County, rates have fallen by 23% since 2006.
what the data tell us
Definition: Rate per 100,000 of total arrests of children ages 10-17 for the offenses of murder, manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
Data Source: : Annie E. Casey Foundation: Kids Count Data Center, 2006-2010; Texas Department of Public Safety; U.S. Department of Justice
Data Considerations: The rates do not necessarily reflect individuals. Rather, they indicate individual charges when an arrest has occurred.
The Story Behind the Indicator
In Travis County, Texas, and the U.S. as a whole, juvenile violent crime rates have dropped since 2006. Throughout the period, the juvenile crime rate was lower in both Travis County and Texas than in the United States. From 2006 to 2010, crime in Travis County dropped by about 23%. Travis County has generally experienced a higher juvenile crime rate than the state as a whole. In 2010, the Travis County rate (150.1) slightly exceeded the Texas rate (145.5).
Some Local Efforts to Improve this Indicator
- The Travis County FY2012 Community Plan for the Coordination of Criminal Justice and Related Activities and the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan recommend increased collaboration among criminal justice agencies and partners to maximize resources, improving the flow of information, and better addressing the regional nature of crime. The two plans also recommend that criminal justice agencies collaborate more intensely with other community stakeholders such as government agencies to provide seamless services and prevent overlapping services and programming. The plans further suggest increased contact between law enforcement and community members to build trust and promote long-term cooperation.
- The Strategic Plan submitted by Travis County to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Justice, and Mental Health Collaborative Program and the Texas Regional Health Partnership 7 Plan both identify the need to support projects that stabilize people experiencing a mental health crisis, expand detoxification services, and provide supportive housing. The combination of these services would work to stabilize people with behavioral health issues and keep them from cycling in and out of the criminal justice system.
A Closer Look at the Story Behind the Indicators
Click any of the section titles below to view related graph and information.
The number of referrals to Travis County's juvenile probation department has been declining.
Definition: Any occasion when a child 10-16 years old is brought to the Travis County Juvenile Probation Department for alleged delinquent conduct.
Data Source: Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
Data Considerations: Data is reported by fiscal year and not by actual year.
A significantly high percentage of juvenile probation referrals who are screened demonstrate mental health needs and/or substance abuse needs.
Definition: The percent of referrals with dispositions (a final determination by a court on a criminal charge) where the child was found to have mental health and/or substance abuse needs during the screening process.
Data Source: Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
Data Considerations: Data is reported by fiscal year and not by actual year.
The following individuals/organizations contributed to the development of this indicator.
Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
CAN (formerly Community Action Network) / Kevin Paris
