More teens are on waiting lists to be tried as adults. And while more violent teens are referred to the California Youth Authority, the facilities have been overcrowded for years, so many violent offenders are released on probation. These early-release offenders are then more likely to commit more crimes. For many who have spent their teen years in the justice system, release into the community without any other skills is a recipe for disaster-yet there are no funds for training or transition skills. Many after-school programs, parks and recreation programs, sports programs and tutoring programs have fallen victim to the Orange County bankruptcy or cutbacks in federal spending on social programs.
Violent crime costs everyone-and it is particularly hard on our children.
For every violent crime, there are dozens of people affected-the victim and the victim's family, the prosecuting and defense attorneys, the juvenile justice system, and of course the teen who commits the crime. All these resources channeled toward coping with crime are resources that can't be spent on education or training or housing that could improve lives. And for far too many of our children, the threat of violent crime means streets and parks that are too dangerous for play, schools that are not safe havens, and lives that are damaged too early and too often by fear.