June 29, 2010 — In today’s paper, the reader will find a full report of activities and projects of the Lassen County Juvenile Justice Commission over the course of the last six years.    

The editorial staff of the paper is pleased that the commission, which has been diligently doing its job over the years has decided to print its findings for the public to see in black and white what we have been hearing — juvenile delinquency filings for the past 10 years “reflect an unmistakable downward trend."

For those unaware of what the commission does, take time to read the report located in the folds of the paper. You may find yourself amazed that a group of students, businessmen, businesswomen, the city police chief, the county sheriff and a doctor and principal would take time each month to come up with ways to educate the public — parents, students and others on how to stop juvenile crime before it happens and to reduce recidivism among young people who find themselves part of the Lassen County Juvenile Court System.    

Due to the nature of crime and the fact that each day children could enter the juvenile court system because of neglect or abuse, because the young person has committed a public offense, we know that the commission is not done with its job and it will always have updated recommendations to give cooperating agencies, juvenile justice programs, law enforcement and probation, schools and the community.    

However, we commend the commission for the start it has made in monitoring the court and keeping abreast on court law when it comes to some of our most vulnerable citizens.    

We also commend the commission for working with the courts, probation, law enforcement, parents and schools to bring down the number of youth charged with a criminal offense.   

The report lists 10 programs that have been effective since implemented along with recommendations on improvement. The paper has and will continue to write on this programs, which include the truancy reduction program, gang awareness program, Teen Court, PACE, juvenile hall oversight, juvenile mental health, youth group home, school resource officers, CPS and Lassen Superior Court student visits.   

Again, take time to read the special insert in today’s paper and send us your thoughts following our Letters to the Editor guidelines to lctimes@lassennews.com