The Town of Holliston s Department of Youth and Family Services worked to keep the criminal records of 60 Holliston youths clean during the past two and a half years through its court diversion program, and officials hope participation will grow. Started in spring 1998 under a state juvenile delinquency prevention grant, the program has flourished so much that Town Meeting voted to keep it when the money ran out this fall. The program, officials said, is another method the town uses to curb increasing rates of alcohol and drug use among juveniles. It is available to first-time juvenile misdemeanor offenders whose offenses include larceny, trespassing, possession of alcohol and small amounts of drugs, truancy and curfew violations. Any juvenile charged with a felony or civil rights violation cannot take part.
Admission is at the discretion of the police officer who catches the law-breaking youngster.
A lot of them are outstanding kids who just got into trouble. And even with the kids who clearly have a problem we can pinpoint that and help them get services. Every indication is that the program is wildly successful, Pyne said. Last spring only 5 percent of the kids involved in the program up to that point went on to commit another crime. Any potential charges are delayed by the Police Department and are wiped clean if the child successfully completes the program.