KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Violent crime in Kalamazoo is trending down so far this year, but its still higher than it was before the pandemic.
And because of this, the City Commission has made it a goal to reduce violent crime, especially juvenile violence by 50% this year. Assistant Chief David Juday says they are off to a good start.
“As of last week Monday, (March 13), violent crime has decreased by 16%, and assaults with firearms are currently down 32% year-to-date,” said Juday who told City Commissioners Monday night that their strategy is to identify youths who repeat offend and steer them into Group Violence Intervention and other city programs.
He said also for juveniles needing a bit more help, they have the Bridging Opportunities program.
So far this year, 8 teens have been assigned to the 38-week program. And according to Juday, those 8 teens are responsible for 325 police contacts including thefts, assaults, and complaints, and are under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system.
“These kids are what I would consider just maybe a little bit more than at risk, and they’ve been identified as being offenders in some of the other programs,” said Juday who also stressed that they were also involved in the juvenile court system.
He went onto say that the program, executed by the Boys and Girls Club, has been very effective in turning the kids around.
Commissioners also on Monday approved giving KYDnet a million dollars in Covid funding to once again operate their expanded youth programs this summer, set to be combined with a half-dozen sports leagues and a summer jobs program.
reporting from John McNeill
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