The various police departments emphatically stated that an expanded Juvenile Hall is critical. Due to inadequacies of the current Juvenile Hall, the State Board of Corrections had awarded a 5.4 Million-dollar grant to Nevada County for replacement. The commitment to start construction is scheduled with the Board of Corrections for April 3, 2000. This 5.4 Million Dollar grant has been stated to a One-Time Only grant and would be lost if not acted upon April 3, 2000. The cities in Nevada County are in the process of change.
Juvenile delinquency is on the rise led by the increase in auto theft.
Law enforcement reports that much of the increase is due to youth that feel assured of very light or no penalties they have learned that the Hall is up to capacity. The consistent overcrowding of Juvenile Hall makes it difficult for the police to detain juvenile offenders. The Board is aware of the Juvenile Hall census and capacity limitations. Juvenile Hall is the only locked mental health facility in Nevada County for juvenile offenders. The Juvenile Detention Center is not a mental health facility.