Urban Youth Violence in Michigan

Nancy Walker, Yvonne Phillips, and Pamela Minifee

Michigan State University

The Scope of the Problem

Several indicators point to the severity of the problem of urban youth violence in Michigan. These indicators include out-of-home placements for delinquency, school dropout rates, rates of suspensions and expulsions from school, and juvenile arrests for crimes and violent crimes.

Out-of-Home Placements for Delinquency

In 1997 the rate of children placed for delinquency in Michigan rose 52% from the previous year, from 1.0 to 1.4 per 1,000 children in the state. This increase was accounted for primarily by delinquency placements in counties with urban centers-Calhoun, Washtenaw, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Wayne. Wayne County alone accounted for the greatest number of children placed in out-of-home care for delinquency-2,000 of the 3,600 children placed in the state. These statistics do not include the growing numbers of children placed in out-of-home care with relatives [1].

In 1997, African American youth were significantly over-represented in both numbers and length of time in residential placements and were more likely to be placed at younger ages [2]. The problem of minority overrepresentation, which continues today, currently is being monitored by the Disproportionate Minority Confinement/ Minority Overrepresentation (DMC/MOR) Project, housed at the Institute for Children, Youth, and Families at Michigan State University and supervised by the Governor's Committee on Juvenile Justice.

School Dropout Rates

Among Michigan counties, the 1996-97 school dropout rate was highest for Wayne County (14.6%) [3]. Dropout rates often vary significantly within counties with more than one school district. Among all the school districts in the state, the local districts of Eau Clair, Inkster, and Detroit had the highest dropout rates, representing more than 20% of the high school enrollment during the 1996-97 school year [4].

Rates of Suspensions and Expulsions from School

In 1999, Michigan's adolescent suspension/ expulsion rate was 14%, the same percentage as for adolescents nationally [5]. However, adolescents living in impoverished families were more than twice as likely to be suspended or expelled from school as their wealthier counterparts. Students from families below 200% of the poverty level were removed at the rate of 23.2%, whereas those from families above that level were suspended or expelled at the rate of 10.2%. Although poverty is not exclusively an urban problem, large proportions of Michigan's poor children live in urban areas. The U.S. Census 1995 Poverty Estimates indicated that 34.8% of families in Wayne County were living in poverty [6]. Although Wayne County was second to Lake County in poverty rates, because the population of Wayne County is so large, the greatest number of adolescents living in poverty reside in Wayne County.

Juvenile Arrests for Crimes and Violent Crimes

Violent index crimes include murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. In 1999, three urban counties had the highest rates of juvenile arrests for violent index crimes: Kent (6 per 1,000 youth), Wayne (5 per 1,000 youth), and Ingham (5 per 1,000 youth) [7]. However, rates of juvenile arrests for violent crimes dropped by about half from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s for three other metropolitan counties (Calhoun, Macomb, and Kalamazoo). In contrast, three less populous counties (Bay, Ottawa, and St. Clair) sustained a doubling of rates during the same time period [8].

Table 1 Arrests of Juveniles Ages 10-17 for Crimes Committed in 1997
	Index Crimes		Violent Index Crimes
County	Number Arrested	Rate	Number Arrested	Rate
Kent	2,402	38.0%	372	5.9%
Wayne	4,340	17.9%	1,325	5.5%
Ingham	802	26.9%	149	5.0%
Kalamazoo	724	29.6%	198	4.4%
Genesee	1,012	18.5%	208	3.8%
Washtenaw	596	22.2%	89	3.3%
Saginaw	199	7.5%	43	1.6%
Calhoun	120	7.1%	22	1.3%
SOURCE: Zehnder-Merrell, J., & Corey, M. (1999). Kids Count in Michigan: 1999 data book. East Lansing: Michigan League for Human Services.

Table 1 shows the number of juvenile arrests for index crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson) and violent index crimes (murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) for 8 counties with urban centers in Michigan, as well as the percentage of youth ages 10-17 years arrested for those crimes in 1997. Figure 1 depicts the percentage of youth ages 10-17 arrested for violent index crimes (murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) in 1997. Table 2 provides juvenile crime statistics for Detroit.

Table 2
Juvenile Crime Statistics for Detroit (1990-1998)

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998

Homicide
43

44

36

10

3

Criminal Sexual Conduct
59

88

44

34

13

Robbery
243

222

250

148

108

Assaults
397

596

432

318

298

Burglary
219

230

234

215

129

Larceny
190

275

138

92

67

Auto Theft
81

79

59

39

18

TOTAL PART I OFFENSES

1,232

1,534

1,193

856

636

Forgery
2

3

4

1

3

Fraud
4

6

2

6

1

Stolen Property
553

279

410

314

219

Weapons Possession
263

378

394

133

83

Prostitution
1

1

1

1

0

Other Sex Offenses
4

8

4

3

0

Family Offenses
0

0

1

0

0

Narcotics
480

269

301

166

158

Liquor
2

0

0

2

1

Disorderly Conduct
42

57

21

5

23

Vagrancy
1

0

0

0

0

Gambling
0

2

0

0

0

Traffic
22

23

25

5

18

Arson
22

35

28

11

19

Miscellaneous Offenses
405

487

239

134

191

TOTAL PART II OFFENSES

1,801

1,548

1,430

781

716

Juvenile crimes have dropped in virtually all categories since the beginning of the decades. The 1998 total of 636 Part I offenses was 58.5 percent below 1992's high of 1,534. Similar rates of decrease were seen in all categories. Part II offenses decreased by 60 percent between 1990's high of 1,801 and 1998's low of 716, due to particularly large decreases in narcotics, weapons possession and stolen property offenses.

How is the Problem of Urban Youth Violence Being Addressed in Michigan Cities Today?

A number of communities in Michigan have developed programs and initiatives to address the problem of urban youth violence. For example, Detroit has been chosen as one site for a national program to deter gun violence. Preliminary results from other cities indicate that the program has been very successful, decreasing youth homicide and gang activity in Boston and Lowell, MA and in Minneapolis, MN. The strategy includes reaching out directly to gangs, setting clear standards for their behavior, and backing up that message by "pulling every lever" legally available when those standards are violated [9]. In Detroit, the program-which is still in the data-gathering stage-is operating through the U.S. Attorney's office in conjunction with the Department of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University.

Importance of Evaluating Programs

Exemplary programs include rigorous evaluation. Unfortunately, little research is available regarding demonstrated effectiveness of urban programs in Michigan. Still, we believe that the programs described below for the Detroit area provide examples worth consideration. For programs available in cities other than Detroit, we urge you to contact the Office of the Mayor for the relevant city.

A Sampling of Detroit Community Resources

Alkebu-Lan Youth Center offers counseling, substance abuse prevention workshops, nutrition education, leadership training, arts, peer mentoring, martial arts, sports, recreation and cultural projects for ages 5-17 years. In addition, the Imani Project trains youth for entrepreneurial skills and business development.
Contact: Marvis Cofield, 7701 Harper Ave., Detroit, MI 48213. Phone: (313) 921-9422.

Alternative for Girls helps homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence, teen pregnancy, and exploitation, and helps them to explore and access the support, resources, and opportunities necessary to be safe, grow strong, and make positive choices in their lives.
Contact: Maureen Okasinski, 1950 Trumbull, Detroit, MI 48216. Phone: (313) 496-0938.

Bridges Toward Responsible Adulthood (BTRA) focuses on developing the young adult. Services are offered to former state wards, juvenile offenders, homeless youth, and adult offenders ages 18 through 22. The participants in this program must adhere to several objectives that have been established to develop a successful future.
Contact: Keith Bennett, Starr Commonwealth - Detroit, 22400 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48219. Phone: (313) 794-4447. Web: www.starr.org.

Brothers on Patrol (BOP) was founded in 1992 to provide a volunteer community patrol to help ensure that the youth have a safe journey to and from school. In collaboration with students, parents, schools, houses of worship, police departments, political officials, social agencies, leisure recreational programs, businesses, and the community at large their goal is to reduce youth violence.
Contact: Bernard Spragner, 9930 Greenfield, Detroit, MI 48227. Phone: (313) 837-5138.

Detroit Impact Youth Center is a non-profit charitable organization. They help low income and at-risk youth develop a sound moral value system based on personal religious faith, high motivation, and good self-esteem. The program offers year-round tutoring, mentoring, leisure education, summer employment for older youth, computer education, and conflict resolution skills.
Contact: Calvin Colbert, 9930 Greenfield, Detroit, MI 48227. Phone: (313) 272-0004.

4-H High Risk Programming in an After School Setting is established in 8 public and 22 private after-school sites for at-risk children ages 5-ll in various Wayne County locations. CareerSmarts, is an after school program developed to address the issues of youth employment. These programs are conducted in cooperation with the Wayne County Public Schools, United Way, Wayne County Uplift Resource Center, Juvenile Court, and Wayne County Boys & Girls Club.
Contact: Howard F. Scott, 4-H Extension Agent, P.O. Box 68, Goldsboro, NC 27533-0068. Phone: (919) 731-1527. Email: hscott@wayne.ces.ncsu.edu.

Man to Man is a mentorship program at Paul Robeson African-Centered Academy, Detroit Public Schools. It was created to assist all male students in first grade through high school. The program goals are to: facilitate self-awareness and a greater knowledge of their history and culture, provide male mentorship relationships with positive role models, enhance student self-esteem, enhance student goal-setting skills, foster cooperative learning and teamwork, and assist each student with the development of effective problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. Parental approval letters are required for participation in the mentorship program.
Contact: Ray C. Johnson, Principal, Paul Robeson African-Centered Academy, 2701 Fenkell, Detroit, MI 48238. Phone: (313) 494-8100.

Sons and Daughters of the Incarcerated is a Washtenaw County program that provides group treatment for children of incarcerated parents. The program provides important linkages between children and their incarcerated parents, including planning for eventual reunification.
Contact: Joyce Dixson, (734) 482-1992.

StarrVista was formed in order to offer seamless and comprehensive care to children and families within the Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and contiguous Northwest Detroit zip codes. This strategic alliance blends Vista Maria's premier gender-specific services for girls and Starr Commonwealth's expertise in serving at-risk boys.
Contact: Sharon Williams, 22390 W. 7 Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48219. Phone: (313) 387-1230.

Structured Transitional Care is available for youths age 15-18 years old, who are not candidates for foster care or ready to live on their own. The program owns apartments in the city of Detroit that are staffed 24 hours a day. The participants either work or attend school. They are taught skills to maintain a safe and independent lifestyle. Each candidate must pass the Daniel Memorial Independent Living Test, once completing the program.
Contact: Chuck Jackson, Starr Commonwealth - Detroit, Detroit, MI 48219. Phone: (313) 794-4447. Web: www.starr.org.

The Detroit Compact is a partnership involving students, educators, area businesses, and government agencies to guarantee youth employment or college for students in middle school and high school. Training, jobs, volunteers, and financial support come from schools, universities, community organizations, and businesses. Some 750 active volunteers from these organizations provide tutoring, mentoring, job training, career awareness, and other resources for participating students.
Contact: Elysa E. Toler-Robinson, Detroit Public Schools, 776 Schools Center Building, 5057 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202. Phone: (313) 494-1864 or 65.

Volunteers in Prevention, Probation, and Prisons, Inc. (VIP) is a program whose mission is to reduce recidivism in the juvenile and criminal justice system. They encourage and support the development of community justice programs, which include one-to-one mentoring of offenders with trained volunteers.
Contact: Mrs. Muhammad, 220 Bagley, Suite 1020, Detroit, MI 48226. Phone: (313) 964-1110.

Notes

[1] Zehnder-Merrell, J., & Corey, M. (1999). Kids Count in Michigan: 1999 data book. East Lansing: Michigan League for Human Services (p. 37).
[2] Sarri, R., Rollin, J., Wolfson, C., Pimlott, S., McCammon, R., Ward, G., & Farmer, F. (1998, November). Minority overrepresentation and outcomes in juvenile justice in Michigan. Prepared for the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research (p. iii).
[3] Zehnder-Merrell & Corey, p. 41.
[4] Zehnder-Merrell & Corey, p. 41.
[5] Urban Institute (2000). Data from the National Survey of America's Families (NSAF), available at http://newfederalism.urban.org.
[6] Zehnder-Merrell & Corey, p. 18.
[7] Zehnder-Merrell & Corey, p. 40.
[8] Zehnder-Merrell & Corey, p. 40.
[9] Kennedy, D. (1998). Pulling levers: Getting deterrence right. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institutes of Justice, p. 3.

This report is issued in conjunction with the Michigan Family Impact Seminar, "Promising Approaches for Reducing Youth Violence" (March 14, 2001). The seminars are sponsored by:

The Skillman Foundation
www.skillman.org

Institute for Children, Youth, and Families
Michigan State University
www.icyf.msu.edu

Families and Communities Together (FACT) Coalition
Michigan State University
www.fact.msu.edu

School of Social Work
Wayne State University
www.socialwork.wayne.edu

Table 2 Juvenile Crime Statistics for Detroit (1990-1998)
	1990	1992	1994	1996	1998
Homicide	43	44	36	10	3
Criminal Sexual Conduct	59	88	44	34	13
Robbery	243	222	250	148	108
Assaults	397	596	432	318	298
Burglary	219	230	234	215	129
Larceny	190	275	138	92	67
Auto Theft	81	79	59	39	18
TOTAL PART I OFFENSES	1,232	1,534	1,193	856	636
Forgery	2	3	4	1	3
Fraud	4	6	2	6	1
Stolen Property	553	279	410	314	219
Weapons Possession	263	378	394	133	83
Prostitution	1	1	1	1	0
Other Sex Offenses	4	8	4	3	0
Family Offenses	0	0	1	0	0
Narcotics	480	269	301	166	158
Liquor	2	0	0	2	1
Disorderly Conduct	42	57	21	5	23
Vagrancy	1	0	0	0	0
Gambling	0	2	0	0	0
Traffic	22	23	25	5	18
Arson	22	35	28	11	19
Miscellaneous Offenses	405	487	239	134	191
TOTAL PART II OFFENSES	1,801	1,548	1,430	781	716
Juvenile crimes have dropped in virtually all categories since the beginning of the decades. The 1998 total of 636 Part I offenses was 58.5 percent below 1992's high of 1,534. Similar rates of decrease were seen in all categories. Part II offenses decreased by 60 percent between 1990's high of 1,801 and 1998's low of 716, due to particularly large decreases in narcotics, weapons possession and stolen property offenses.