Lowest juvenile arrests in more than 40 years

Miami has the most significant decrease in juvenile crime in State of Florida

Governor Scott recognized the Miami-Dade County as having the largest decrease in juvenile arrests over the last fiscal year in the State of Florida. Miami recorded a 12 percent decrease in juvenile crime and continues to provide resources for our County’s youth. In Florida, juvenile arrests dropped 7 percent in the last fiscal year, resulting in a six-year decline of 37 percent.

A safe and more secure community is my top priority as Mayor, and while crime rates have fallen countywide, we still need to do more to curb youth violence. That is why our police officers are not only patrolling neighborhoods, but are working in collaboration with our Juvenile Services Department and Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department to mentor at-risk youth in their homes, steer them away from crime, bring needed support to their families, train them for jobs and keep them engaged in healthy after-school activities. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and look forward to what I know we will continue to achieve together as a community, said Mayor Carlos Gimenez.

The Youth and Community Safety Initiative was launched in March 2016 and it represents a collaborative effort created to develop comprehensive, effective and immediate solutions to create a safer Miami-Dade. It includes programs such as the Youth Outreach Unit (YOU) which works in collaboration with the Miami-Dade Police Department, Miami-Dade Juvenile Services Department, the Department of Juvenile of Justice and community-based organizations. Together with these departments and organizations, the YOU program develops a level of trust and legitimacy in the targeted communities.

Our community has put a great deal of time, effort, and resources into finding innovative ways to support our most vulnerable population of young people to build a sense of hope and community that will allow them to grow into productive adults, said Director of Juvenile Services Department Morris Copeland.

In conclusion, all these collaborative efforts proved to be efficient reducing the youth violence in the community. Miami-Dade County is committed to create and maintain a safer place for our children and future generations.