Milford chronicle., 1958-06-20
State Police
Originating NeIO
Juvenile Offender Role
from page one)

continued from page one)
released with no assurance that
their parents will ever be aware
of the association or act. This
happens most frequently in motor
vehicle violations. The contracting
of the parents or guardians and
the recording of this information
is not the establishment of police
record. Ii is designed to enlighten
the parents or guardians of the
Importance of parental control and
supervision so they can correct
these acts and associations before
their child becomes so involved it
is necessary to affect an arrest and
refer the child to Juvenile or Fam
lily Court.
This approach, Colonel Fergu-
son said, is not completely new
concept State Police have always
attempted to notify parents of
these minor acts in the past To-
day, however, due to the necessary
patrol techniques and the neces-
sity of keeping the trooper avail
able Tor his primary duty of traf-
fic control and accident investiga-
tion. it is frequently impossible
for the trooper to leave his patrol
area to go into the numerous towns
or developments to search out par
eEts who may be working or just
not home.
Under the new policy, as out
lined by Colonel Ferguson, youth
contact report will be recorded by
the officer who will indicate whe-
ther or not the parents are con-
tacted. If the parents do not live
within the patrol area; are work
ing or for other reasons the officer
is unable to reach them and advise
them ofethe act. association, time
or whereabouts of their child, a
referral of all information is for
warded to the Youth Division and
a member of that division will
either contact the parents direct
or forward complete written re-
sumo of the action.
In all areas of Delaware today,
surrounding most cities and towns,
are numerous building develop
ments. Most of these areas are un-
Incorporated, do not have police
services of their own and must
rely on the State PoIicey or in New
Castle County, the County Police.
y The intimate contact that exist
ed between the beat" officers and
the local resident is gone. Police
patrols today cover large areas and
1t is impossible for an officer work
ing in rural area to know all the
and children. This then becomes a
genuine police problem that must
be met from practical approach
that of informing the parents of
the activity of their child and of
being sure the parents are aware
of a situation and are either able
or willing to face up to their re-
sponsibilities.
One of the most serious offenses
facing the police today is the prob
lem of drinking. In 1857, sixteen
youths were arrested by State Po-
lice for operating under the in
fiuence of intoxicants. This total
does not include any arrests made
by other police agencies in the
State of Delaware. .fcfss44i.> sea3
There are Indications, in some
instances, the intoxicant was sup
piled by parents at home; but in
most cases, purchases were made
by adults for a fee or portion of
the purchase.
Colonel Ferguson has directed
n frnnnarc ord ri "a, 10 ,~Ixy fInCa
assigned tc the Youth Division, to
check places selling GTi dispensing
alcoholic beverages and any youths
found in or around such establish
ments, who have been drinking,
are to be brought 10 the nearest
troop. All persons involved in an
offense of this kind will be arrest
ed and prosecuted to the fullest ex-
tent of the law.
Many civic minded organizations
have attempted to operate youth
canteens. for the benefit of their
local children, only to have their
plans disrupted by a few youths
who travel from community to
community picking up a few beers
on the way and making trouble.
This will not be tolerated, Colonel
Ferguson stated.
Over the past several months a
number of letters were sent
throughout the state and several
Of the bordering states to parents
whose children were either in as
'ociation with another youth or an
adult who was arrested for a dan
serous moving motor vehicle vio-
lation or apprehended in the com
mission of some minor violation
tor which no arrest was made.
Numerous parents have replied to
hese letters. In most cases they
had not been previously informed
oy their children. In every instance
where an answer was received the
oarent expressed gratitude and
there was no denial on the part
OF the youth involved.
Colonel Ferguson expressed hope
hat the parents of those youth.
who are brought to the attention
OF the police and referred to their
parents, will cooperate with the
Delaware State Police in attempt
ing to keep juvenile delinquents