(The Center Square) — During Monday’s Caddo Parish Commission work session, newly reported numbers show a significant decrease in juvenile detention numbers since March 17.
Parish Administrator Erica Bryant shared the updated juvenile report in Monday’s work session. The reported stats show three in detention, two in the Office of Juvenile Justice, three 17-year-olds, 24 with the chief court counselor and 423 on probation.
According to this report, there has been a large drop in juveniles in detention since mid-March. On March 17, the reported stats showed 19 in detention, two 17-year-olds, two in the Office of Juvenile Justice, 27 with the chief court counselor and 423 probation cases. Over the course of the last few months, the parish has seen an overall decline in reported juvenile numbers, primarily for those in detention and on probation.
Reports from Feb. 18 showed 24 in detention, five in the Office of Juvenile Justice, 27 with the chief court counselor and 452 on probation. While reported crime showed 40 juvenile arrests taking place as of Feb. 21 and 34 juvenile intakes in January, numbers are trending down at this time.
During the Jan. 6 work session, there were as many as 472 probation cases, significantly higher than this week’s reported stats.
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Parish officials are not the only ones trying to help juvenile crime rates. Over the weekend, Caddo parish residents had the opportunity to vote on Amendment No. 3 revisions of the Louisiana Constitution. The amendment would’ve allowed courts to try juveniles under 17 as adults in specific felony cases.
The majority of the parish voted against the amendment. According to the Secretary of State records, 67% or 20,650 votes were cast voting no for revisions to Amendment No. 3. The unofficial voter turnout for this amendment was 20.3%. Only 33%, 10,132 votes, voted in favor throughout the parish.