This report has provided information about youth violence, risk factors and protective factors. These risk factors cannot be used to pinpoint which youth will become violent. They can only be used to identify and support those youth who are at risk. While Bloomington youth have a low rate of criminal violence, many youth report having experience with other forms of violence. Threats, harassment, pushing, hitting and kicking affect many of them during their school years.
Some youth report bringing weapons, including guns, onto school property.
The majority of youth feel safe at school and in the community. Bloomington Police, Cornerstone, and Family and Children's Services report seeing an increase in youth domestic violence. Harassment suspensions have increased with the implementation of a new Bloomington School District policy. The number of juvenile drug arrests has more than doubled between 1996 and 1998. Bloomington youth report good relationships with their parents, especially their mothers.