Public safety is one of the top priorities for Governor Martin O’Malley’s administration. To accomplish this, Secretary DeVore has established the reduction of the number of juvenile homicides and non-fatal shootings under DJS supervision as one of the four major goals for the Department. In January 2008, DJS implemented the Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI) in Baltimore City and expanded the initiative statewide in December 2008 to ensure intensified levels of supervision and services for youth who are at highest risk of being victims or perpetrators of crimes of violence.
Under VPI, the supervision of youth is greatly enhanced and provided during nontraditional hours as a means to engage youth and families. This approach allows DJS to intervene early and more often, thereby preventing an escalation of behaviors that could result in violent crime. Services are based on and targeted to address individual needs that correlate with delinquent behavior including youth tolerance towards violence, negative peer associations, lack of supervision, lack of neighborhood safety, and substance abuse, education, and anger management services. This Initiative incorporates a level system and continuum of graduated responses to ensure that immediate and appropriate actions are consistently applied when youth are non-compliant.
The criteria established for the VPI was adapted from Baltimore City Health Department studies, the Operation Safe Kids (OSK) Program, and discussions with the Governor’s Office. Identification of VPI youth is based on factors that predict risk associated with increased likelihood of committing or being the victim of violent crime.
The VPI operates on a three-level system. Movement through the levels is progressive and contingent upon ongoing assessments of compliance with conditions of supervision and successful participation in identified services. Youth are reassessed through supervisory case reviews held every 60 days and the re-administration of the risk assessment every 90 days. Youth who are not responsive to services and supervision, receive sanctions that include increased levels of monitoring (i.e., GPS, house arrest etc.). The minimum period for completion of each level is three months.
The VPI is a statewide collaborative effort to reduce juvenile violence and victimization in conjunction with the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, local law enforcement, local government, health departments, community service providers and the judiciary. DJS partners with stakeholders to accomplish the following:
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Program development and planning, |
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Identification of youth, |
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Supervision and monitoring (including curfew checks), |
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Program service provision, and |
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Warrant apprehension. |
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