Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-19
.JuVeni|eCrinle
Declines Here,
Police Report
l2-Month Finding
Based on Number
Referred to Court
BY HARRIET GRIFFITHS

Washington police have re-
ported a decrease in juvenile de-
linquency for the IL months
ended June 80, with "a fewer
youths referred to Juvenile Court
than the 1854 sent in fiscal 1855.
Inspector John E. Winters, re-
porting on the first years oper-
alton of his Youth Aid Division,
said a decrease in delinquency
was clearly indicated despite an
increase of 1,139 in the number
of complaints over the 1894 to-
tai of the previous year.
He explained in the report sent
to Commissioner Robert E. Nc
Laughlin by Police Chief Robert
V. Murray that the actual num-
Der of juveniles involved. not the
complaints. indicates the trend.
Complaint Increase Explained
He said the increased number
of complaints was attributable
mainly to-:
/. Under the new system. po-
lice now report minor offenses
for investigation as a preventive
measure even though the Of
fender may not be arrested or
prosecuted. Previously a juvenile
might have been warned and
sent home with no complaint
recorded.
2. There were many instances
where multiple offenses were
charged to a single offender. For
example, one boy was charged
with "a offenses. A total of 697
juveniles had more than one Of
tense charged against them.
Inspector Winters said the
years showing was particularly
gratifying in view of a nearly
rs per cent decline in delinquent
cy recorded for last fiscal year
under the previous year. He said
the number of delinquent chill
dren here remains at less than
3 per cent of the juvenile popu-
lation.
During the year the report
said some SO juvenile groups
the report does not call them
gangs-were investigated. These
had total membership of 43l.
There were 1913 boys and girls
interviewed and 124 complaint
forms filed.
Results of Investigation
In connection with the juvenile
gangs investigations. the report
said 81 Form 379s were filed.
This form was put in effect at
the time the division began func-
tioning and was designed to
utilize the entire police force
in the delinquency prevention
program.
On the form, incidents or
contacts with youths in which
arrest and prosecution was not
contemplated were reported to
the Youth Aid Division for fur
Their investigation. These in
cluded minor offenses' and con-
ditionS needing attention, chill
dren truant from school or out
late at night and the like.
OF 3,038 forms received by
the Juvenile Bureau, 942 were
filed without action and AZ were
referred to court. The Women's
Bureau received 159 of the forms,
but no court action resulted.
Auto Thefts Increase
The most notable increase in
juvenile crime last fiscal year
was in auto thefts, which in
creased 254 over the 1926 re-
ported last fiscal year. There
was an increase in petty larceny
of 231 over the $50 recorded for
last fiscal year, and IL more
rape cases than the 40 listed
for fiscal 1855.
Inspector Winters explained
that most of the rape cases fell
in the statutory category where
no force was used but the girl
was under the age of consent.
There were decreases in house.
breaking, with 759 last fiscal
year as compared with 922 the
year before and IA fewer rob-
berries than then 270 recorded
for fiscal 1855.
OF the total number of ar
rests, white juveniles accounted
for 38 per cent, and colored ju-
veniles for 81 per cent, the re-
port said.