Indicator 24: Juvenile Apprehensions
Goal: Our communities will be safe, friendly and caring.
Rationale: Youth crime is an important factor in community safety. Youth commit a disproportionate share of crimes in Minnesota, especially serious property crimes. Many youths who are apprehended continue their criminal careers as adults.
About this indicator: The rate of all juvenile apprehensions has fluctuated during the 2000s, showing no clear trend. The rate of apprehensions for more serious Part 1 offenses also shows no clear trend.
Arrests of juveniles are called apprehensions. The overall rate includes violent crime and property crime (burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and arson). In 2009, youth ages 10-17 accounted for 19 percent of all violent and serious property crimes arrests in Minnesota, according to the Department of Public Safety.
The apprehension rate is a different measure than the crime rate. The age of the perpetrator is not available for every crime, only for those that result in an apprehension or arrest. Also, a single apprehension may cover several offenses.
For comparison: Minnesota has relatively high rates of juvenile apprehensions. In 2009, the total apprehension rate for juveniles was the 9th highest in the nation. The apprehension rate for Part 1 offenses was 25th highest.
Technical notes: In the calculation of juvenile apprehension rates by state, the numerator used was the number of apprehensions for persons ages 10 to 17. The denominator was the estimated population ages 10 to 17. There are few apprehensions of children under age 10.
Sources:
- Minnesota apprehension data from Minnesota Department of Public Safety http://www.bca.state.mn.us/CJIS/Documents/Page-15-02.html
- Population estimates from U.S. Census Bureau, http://www.census.gov/popest/estimates.html
- Apprehension data by state from the United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2008 Crime in the United States, http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm#cius
Related 2002 Milestones indicator:
Local data:
Milestones is a product of the Minnesota State Demographic Center, a division of the Department of Administration