Smart on Summer: Programming that Offers an Alternative to Crime
Years of data show that crime and violence often spike during the summer months. A collection of factors is thought to contribute to this uptick, from more free time to rising temperatures amplifying preexisting frustrations. Local police departments and state agencies across the country have responded to this pattern by creating community programs that offer an alternative to crime and even promote lifelong skills that can be used well beyond the summer months.
Last year, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) concluded that summer jobs for young people are a meaningful crime prevention strategy. Examining a program in Boston that connected participants with summer jobs and offered training when necessary, the researchers studied the number of arraignments in the months following the summer job and recorded “a 35% reduction in violent crime and a 29% reduction in property crimes. Through pre- and post-program surveys, participants said they were given opportunities to learn valuable soft skills such as asking adults for help, working with peers and resolving conflicts in the workplace.”
Baton Rouge is participating in a similar strategy through the upcoming mayor’s Youth Workforce Experience (MWE.) Described as “a paid, 8-week summer career awareness and internship program for high school students,” the program is “designed to connect youth with professional mentors, provide supportive environments for personal and professional growth, and offer hands-on opportunities to explore future careers.” For those participating, the MWE is offering more than just a positive alternative to other summer activities, it is an investment in their future careers. Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards said, “It’s a job, but more than that, it offers hope.”
The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office is also planning for the summer with a collection of free summer camps. This programming is not new to the parish, which offered an array of events and programming last summer as part of a crime prevention initiative and as an effort to galvanize strong relationships between law enforcement and the community at large. These community-oriented events, if informed by evidence, can help to reduce crime far after the summer is over by building trust between those participating.
Similarly, Ouachita Parish recently announced Cadet Camps for the summer months. These camps offer local young people the opportunity to learn more about law enforcement and build skills that would be valuable as a deputy. With an emphasis on leadership, teamwork, and discipline, the camps also function as a recruitment strategy by showing local youth that they could have a future career as a police officer. Amidst a national police officer recruitment and retention issue, the Cadet Camps can serve as a model for both summer crime prevention and an investment in future officers.
The summer months can be a time of community-building, career preparation, and investment in public safety. Programming around the state demonstrates a keen understanding of the power of alternatives to crime. As local agencies continue to respond to the data through thoughtful summer initiatives, the young people and communities of the state have an opportunity to benefit, engage, and invest in their futures.