As Wake County continues to navigate growing concerns around youth safety and community well-being, the Wake County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council is calling on community members, parents and caregivers, young people, educators, service providers, law enforcement and other stakeholders to participate in a community listening session on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 6–8 p.m. at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA.
The purpose of this session is to hear directly from those in Wake County about the needs, strengths, challenges and risks affecting young people in our community. The Council seeks input into what families and youth are experiencing, what resources are currently available, where gaps in services may exist and what additional approaches could help promote the safety of young people.
The event is free to attend but registration is strongly encouraged. Attendees are asked to RSVP by Oct. 12.
“We want to hear from the people who know our communities best so we can build solutions that make an impact,” said Wake County Commissioner Shinica Thomas. “Their insight is not just valuable, it’s essential if we are going to truly make a difference.”
The conversation comes at a pivotal moment as recent large gatherings involving teenagers, including so-called “teen takeover” events, and ongoing questions surrounding youth curfews have sparked discussions about how best to ensure safe and welcoming communities. The session will offer an opportunity for community members to share their experiences and recommendations as these broader conversations continue.
Last year, Wake County saw these local youth trends in our justice system:
- 3,285 offenses alleged by youth under age 18.
- 177 juveniles diverted from juvenile court and placed on a diversion plan or contract
- 278 admissions of juveniles to detention centers for short-term secure custody
- 12 juveniles transferred from juvenile court to adult court
Insights gathered during the session will help inform ongoing efforts to strengthen prevention strategies and support effective approaches to juvenile crime prevention in Wake County.
“The Wake JCPC is committed to being intentional with our efforts to engage our communities,” said Wake County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Chair Max Shafir. “We are excited to hear from our stakeholders and integrate their perspectives into our delinquency prevention work.”
Participants will be encouraged to reflect on a range of questions, including:
- What are the most significant needs facing young people in Wake County today?
- What factors may place young people at greater risk of becoming involved in delinquent or harmful behavior?
- What strengths, resources and positive opportunities currently support youth and families?
- Where do gaps exist in services, activities, prevention efforts or other supports?
- What can families, schools, community organizations, businesses, law enforcement and government do together to better support young people?
- What approaches effectively promote both youth safety and positive relationships between young people and the broader community?
Anyone interested in attending can register here.
About the JCPC
The Wake County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council is a county-level, legislatively mandated body in North Carolina tasked with planning, organizing and evaluating local community-based strategies to prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency. The North Carolina Dept. of Public Safety, Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention collaborates with the JCPC to galvanize community leaders, locally and statewide.
JCPC board members are appointed by the Wake County Board of Commissioners and meet monthly. NCDPS allocates approximately $23 million to the council annually, and funding is used to subsidize local programs and services.
To learn more about the council, visit wake.gov/JCPC.
