Detroit evening times., 1943-08-03
A Big Curse Of War:
Juvenile Delinquency

n DIRECTOB J. EDGAR HOOVER Of the Federal Bureau
- Of Investigation, who has suppressed criminal enter
prses MANY fields and with ncalculabe benefit the
country gravey Acknowledges failure of law enforce
mont in a most vital field
Writing in The Law Enforcement Bulletin" Mr..
Hoover notes a TREMENDOUS INCREASE in juvenile
crime. SAYING:
"on every hand We have tragic evidence that many
boys and girls have become specialists murder robbery
and crimes against common decencN."
This is an appalling situation which will as he saws,
f left unchecked seriously undermine nations
secun,y"
The danger in The situation is beyond ezaggerauon
I YER since the United States entered the present war
l. the problem Of juvenile crime and delinquency has
become increasingly acute and has involved growing
numbers Of boys and girls virtually all communities.
There have been many explanations, but too few
effective remedies.
Parents are the armed forces or the war indus
tries. Police forces are undermanned, and performing
pyramided duties
Undenaby, Of the greatest hazards and penalties
Of is the disposition to relax normal behavior
restraints,
But it unqaeslonaby true as Mr. Hoover asserts that
the majority Of crimes involving young people
traced improper and supervision by delegated author
ties
Since it obviously LACK Of proper supervision that
is responsible increased juvenile delinquency the equally
obvious remedy the creation of proper supervision.
That what Mr.. Hoover earnestly urges.
GCTHROUGH THE YEARS" he writes "sOme far-,eeing
police agencies have established crime prevention
bureaus their respective departments and excellent results
have been achieved"
"Others, while not having distinct bureau devoted to
this work have taken less casual interest in pro-
grams designed help youth
THE majority agencies however
concentrated their upon detection repression
and have not given enough attention to the PREVENTION
of crime.
"Where possible feel that a number carefully
officers of each department should be assigned work in the
field of crime prevention a FULL TIME ASSIGNMENT"
Mr. HOOVER'S SUGGESTION is commended to the care
IVl full attention Of local authorities and responsible
religious and educational organizations everywhere
The application Of the suggestion is primarily local
problem and duty.
Mr. Hoover apply it, if he had the time and
organization for it, Before the war his job was to combat
and suppress professional and he did amazingly
GOOD JOB of it Since the his major task has been
combat and suppress enemy espionage sabotage
doing an effective job Of that.
If adequate child supervision possible only possible
through local enterprise The American nation is certainly
unwilling acknowledge that is NOT possible That would
the abandonment Of thousands boys girls
immature devices and decisions
the volume Of juvenile delinquency and crime that already
a national disgrace and tragedy.
Every American community has this problem and
responsibility for solving it. Mr. Hoover has laid down
pattern for solution. hoped agencies
having the responsibility for applying and capable doing
will themselves before the nation pays greater
terrifying price for this than necessary.
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