Youth Services Section

The Youth Services Section is responsible for providing intervention, prevention and enforcement services for youth through a variety of programs, including BearTrax, Explorer Program Post 1952, the After-School Program, Diversion/First Offender Program and the investigation of runaway reports. The section is the clearinghouse for all juvenile arrest reports and civil citations and serves as the liaison with the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). The section also assists patrol officers and detectives with case coordination and preparation.

Each year, the section hosts the BearTrax Summer Camp for disadvantaged children ages 10 and 11. The staff also participates in the BearTrax Holiday Party, which serves 54 children ranging in age from 5 to 10 years old. One officer from the section is the Advisor to Explorer Post 1952. The Explorer Post is set up as an introduction for youth to all phases of law enforcement.

The After-School Program is a collaborative effort between the police department and the Departments of Education, Recreation and Parks, Health, and the Office of Substance Abuse. The program is designed to provide 40 elementary and middle school students, ranging in age from 4 to 8, with positive, supervised programs during the high-risk after-school hours. The program includes tutoring, a recreation program and a social skills component designed to teach the students problem-solving, anger management, conflict resolution and decision-making skills.

The Diversion/First Offender Program is designed to address the needs of juveniles who are identified as status offenders (non-criminals) or minor first time offenders. An intervention plan is developed for each youth and his or her family. In 2002, the program was awarded with the Governor’s Crime Prevention Award as one of the outstanding proactive crime prevention programs in Maryland.

The section also handles all runaway investigations reported in the county and assists outside agencies with locating runaways from other jurisdictions.

BROCHURES

Bear Trax