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How QC police plan to prevent youth from entering juvenile justice system

Law enforcement in the Quad Cities is working to offer more help to juveniles, in an attempt to keep them away from crime.

DAVENPORT, Iowa -- Law enforcement in Scott County is working to offer more help to juveniles, in an attempt to keep them away from crime.

In April of 2018 Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski, along with a team of other law enforcement officials and social service providers, took a trip to Colorado.  They visited "The Juvenile Assessment Center," which focuses on the safety of youth through early intervention, assessments and provides access to resources in the area.

Related: Scott County officials offer solution to uptick in juvenile crime 

It's a concept that Scott County officials want to bring to the area.

"The idea would be early intervention," said Chief Paul Sikorski. "My idea is to have all of these community partners feeding this juvenile assessment center and having early intervention and identification. And the goal would be to not have them introduced into our juvenile justice system."

A juvenile assessment center in Scott County would offer both law and community services; run by professionals.  Assessments would focus on what individuals need, but would also involve their families.

Chief Sikorski said an assessment center would allow police an additional option of where to take youth after responding to an incident.  It provides juveniles with proper care and resources, while allowing officers to get back to work.

 

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