As of May 8, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department reports there have been six non-criminal homicides and 44 criminal homicides in the city this year. While previous research has shown many individuals who commit crimes are repeat offenders, with the school year coming to a close, there are more opportunities for youth the become part of the crime wave.
Recently, the Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) released a report on youth violence in Indiana and what factors contribute to a path of crime for minors.
IYI found Indiana youth are involved in a variety of violence that includes a wide range of behaviors, including bullying, physical fighting, fire setting, intentional destruction of property, sexual assault, gun violence and homicide. While the report found 47.9 percent of youth are uninvolved in violent activities, 16.6 percent have been the victim and perpetrator, 17.3 percent have been the perpetrator and 18.2 percent have been victims.
Tami Silverman, president and CEO of IYI, said the organization has a data team that focuses strictly on gathering youth data year-round. As selected by The Annie E. Casey Foundation, a private charitable organization dedicated to helping build better futures for disadvantaged children, IYI is the designated youth data center for the state and has filled that role for a number of years.
“It is that team’s job to look for all different sources of data, because there is so much in different places, like the Department of Education, Department of Health and the CDC. We know it’s really hard for folks to keep up with all of that, and we want to make it easier for them to access it,” said Silverman.
Using the IYI website or attending one of the organization’s Youth Worker Cafes, the public has the opportunity to learn more about today’s youth through a variety of topics. Information can be found for not only the state level but also the county level.
Following are some of the report highlights:
Homicides by youth
n As of July 1, 2015, the four juvenile corrections facilities in Indiana housed 431 youth, and another 56 youth were on parole.
n In 2013, Indiana youth ages 12–17 committed 20 homicides, and victims of these crimes ranged in age from 12–50 years of age.
n 65 percent of homicides committed by Indiana teens were committed by Black males.
n Of homicides committed by Indiana teens, half of the victims were white and the other half were Black.
n Firearms were used in three quarters of homicides by youth under age 18 in Indiana.
Gang violence
n Between 2007–2012, the number of U.S. gangs increased by 8 percent, the number of gang members increased by 11 percent and gang-related homicides increased by more than 20 percent.
n According to the FBI, there are 64 gangs in Indiana, many of which involve youth.
n Youth involved in gangs consider membership between the ages of 12–14 and usually join around age 15.
Impact of mental health
n Mental health issues can contribute to youth violence.
n Youth who have certain behavior disorders such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Conduct Disorder (CD) are often labeled as defiant and aggressive, rather than mentally ill.
n In Indiana, 1 in 19 children ages 2–17 have a diagnosis of ODD or CD.
n Approximately 50–70 percent of U.S. juvenile offenders have a diagnosable behavioral health disorder.
“The feedback has been tremendous, and the number of people that attend our Youth Worker Cafes continues to grow,” said Silverman. “In fact, in Marion County, there have been many times when we’ve had to do duplicates of a session, because there is so much interest. One thing professionals admire about this cafe is that not only is there data, it’s interactive because we have discussions. Once you get over about 75 participants, you lose that ability to do those things, so we like small groups.”
The topic on the impact of meth labs on Indiana youth and communities has a tremendous demand. IYI continues to consider topics proposed by the community and is set to hold 200 Youth Worker Cafes throughout the state by the end of 2016.
“We also know when you’re in one channel of service, it can be difficult to keep up with the other topics you know may be floating around, but you don’t have access to information in your immediate space,” mentioned Silverman.
Several city officials and community members are attempting to discover the daily challenges of youth and find solutions to help them stay healthy and out of crime. In early May, the second National Public Safety Forum of 2016 was held and was titled “Challenges & Solutions for Youth.” This forum brought together IMPD Chief Troy Riggs, Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lewis Ferebee and other leading experts for a candid conversation about Indianapolis youth and crime, education and other basic needs.
“With one in three Indianapolis children born into poverty, now is the time to come together as a community and identify what we can do to assure a better future for our city’s youth,” Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said. “We owe it to the children of this community to reject a spirit of hopelessness, and instead seek solutions that will assure a stronger, safer Indianapolis for all.”
Riggs honed in on increased victimization and violence in youth, along with the role mental health issues play.
“When we have had community conversations with our youth, we have heard four key messages from them over and over again,” Riggs said. “’No one loves me. No one cares about my future. They are hungry when school is not in session, and they are concerned about their interactions with police. We need to change that.”
In next week’s edition of the Recorder, find summer resources and activities for youth.
