James: Will Help Prevent Unjust Prosecutions
Public Advocate Letitia James introduced a bill last Wednesday, Feb. 26, aimed at compiling data related to juvenile arrests.
The bill would require the NYPD to create a report of the total number of youth (under 18) arrested for violations; and for each arrest, the charge(s), the age and race of the individual arrested, the precinct of the arrest, and whether or not the location of the arrest corresponds to the address of a school.
Currently, the School Safety Division compiles data on juvenile arrests. However, when the arrests are made outside of school grounds by police officers who not stationed at the corresponding school, that information is not reported.
“The goal of this legislation is to protect youth from unjustified arrests,” said James. “During the 2011-2012 academic year, there were 882 school-related arrests, which averages to nearly four arrests per school day. There are an estimated 5,000 unarmed officers in city schools, as well as an additional 200 armed officers. Securing data on juvenile arrests will help us ensure that our children aren’t entering the juvenile justice system if avoidable.”
During the 2011-2012 academic year, there were 882 school-related arrests, which averages to nearly four arrests per school day.
Of the students arrested, according to NYPD School Safety data, over 60 percent are black, and more than 30 percent are Latino.
The statistics available only include arrests made by NYPD personnel assigned to the school buildings, but not arrests made by precinct officers called into the school, or arrests made outside school grounds.
Aside from the NYPD’s School Safety Data Reports, James said, there is a lack of information concerning juvenile arrests stemming from violations.
Reporting requirements will provide important empirical data that can facilitate discussions regarding appropriate police practices and the allocation of police resources, the public advocate added.
