38 2 Police and Law Enforcement—Juvenile Forensics
structured environment, the child's chances for healthy development are hindered,
therefore making them more predisposed to engage in delinquent activities.
When efforts to reach the child early in development fail, it is imperative to
implement treatment efforts in an attempt to reach the child before they engage in
more serious offender behaviors. Mental health agencies and child welfare agencies
as well as the juvenile justice system can either mandate treatment for the entire
family or specifically work to assess the youth's behavioral problems.
Treatment options to address the needs of the family and the individual include
alcohol and drug programs, child abuse and sexual abuse programs, or community-
based programs where the focus is on a community-oriented approach. The comm-
unity-oriented approach to the prevention of juvenile delinquency believes that
youth crime is a community problem (R. Lundman, 1993). Whether the programs
developed are targeted for the family or the individual, it is essential to have the help
of local, community, state, and federal entities as well as experts in the field working
together to identify and address juvenile intervention and crime prevention.
In the efforts to address the issue of juvenile delinquency and early crime pre-
vention, the literature has identified the issue of restrictive state statutes as being
a hindrance in the process. Frequently, those in charge of such programs have a
difficult time trying to implement programs due to restrictive or narrowly defined
state legislative guidelines. In these instances, law enforcement agencies, psycholo-
gists, and social scientists should work with state legislatures to amend those statutes
which are considered too restrictive. The wording of some individual state statutes
regarding compulsory school attendance does have significant impact on attempts
to interdict truants (Gavin, 1997). To adapt to restrictive or unhelpful statutes, there
are a number of steps program developers can take. Police administrators can work
with local legislative delegations to address the issues at hand. Once the issues are
discussed, the parties involved can negotiate and devise a mutual compromise that
will ultimately help the youths. Statutes regarding compulsory school attendance
will have a significant impact on attempts to interdict truants (Gavin, 1997). It is
important to have a good working relationship with state legislatures so that they
will help support and validate various truancy interdiction programs in the future.
Suggestions for Future Research
When addressing the issue of truant and delinquent youth, it is obvious that the
problem is multifaceted. These issues have been a concern since the 1800s, yet with
the rise of juvenile crime and the seriousness of the offenses, new efforts are being
examined to combat juvenile crime.
A major area of interest for future research could address how various agencies
throughout the United States are dealing with the issues of truancy and delinquency.
One must keep in mind, however, that research addressing truancy in large cities
incorporates more variables when compared to smaller communities.