Police Chief Ronald Sampson is looking for ways to implement a youth diversion program to curtail the number of juvenile-related crimes within Yazoo City.
Sampson said the number of juvenile crimes that are taking place in the city is “unacceptable.” Two months into his post, he is already looking at ways to tackle the issue.
“Our numbers are pretty heavy when it comes to juvenile crimes, and it is unacceptable,” Sampson said. “We have got too many kids skipping school. That is why we need this youth diversion program so that we can get court-ordered programs going instead of just putting them in juvenile detention. We need to be doing something to redirect them.”
Sampson said just last Friday the police department handled a case that involved a 14-year-old burglarizing a home when he should have been in school.
Sampson said the most recent statistics indicate that 63 percent of Yazoo City’s property crimes are committed by juveniles.
Sampson said in an effort to show the public the police department is more approachable, he is working with local groups such as the Boys and Girls Club to create positive programs geared toward juveniles. He hopes to have a solid program in place by next spring.
