Forums Will Address Juvenile Crime Issue

Hoping to reduce the level--and the violence--of juvenile crime, the county’s probation department will hold three forums around the county to take suggestions from professionals and the public on how best to handle youthful offenders.

“We would like to give the public the opportunity to voice what their real concerns and priorities are,” said Calvin Remington, chief deputy probation officer. “Then we will take that information and use it.”

The first forum is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Simi Valley Courthouse, Corrections Services Agency, 3855-F Alamo St. The second meeting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Wilson Senior Center, 350 N. C St., Oxnard. The final forum is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. March 10 in the lower plaza assembly room of the County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura.

Remington said the meetings are necessary to help the county find ways to fight juvenile crime with increased state funding anticipated in the next fiscal year. He added that juvenile crime is becoming more violent and frequent.

“We’re seeing the violence at an earlier age,” Remington said. “If we had a drive-by shooting involving a juvenile, that was very unusual five years ago. Unfortunately, now, it’s routine.”