Instead of Filing Charges, Prosecutors to Buy Boys and Girls Club Membership for Some Juveniles

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office announced Thursday that instead of charging juveniles who commit low-level offenses, it will pay for their annual membership at a local Boys and Girls Club.

The initiative aims to lower crime rates in Indianapolis among young people. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said his office has seen an increase in juveniles committing crime, particularly violent crimes.

“If you give young people hope and opportunity and you invest in young people, they’re not going to commit crimes and they’re not going to commit violent crime,” Mears said.

Maggie Lewis, CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, said children who are exposed to the criminal justice system are more likely to reoffend later in life.

“We want to keep our young people out of the criminal justice system,” Lewis said. “We know that once they're introduced to that lifestyle, the chances of them continuing down that path is greater.”

Juveniles who are first-time offenders for nonviolent crimes like trespassing, curfew violations and a low amount of drug possession will be eligible for a free membership, which normally costs $25 a month.

Typically, a probation sentence is given in these cases. Mears said these sentences affect not only the juvenile, but also their parents, who often have to take off work to take their child to court appearances.

Mears said the Boys and Girls Club will be a place for kids to be productive and learn valuable skills.

“I want to make sure that kids have a safe place to go, and there’s a safe environment and they have positive role models in their lives so they don’t go down that path of being involved in crime,” Mears.

The Boys and Girls Club offers opportunities for children to engage in activities such as athletics, homework assistance and mental health services.

“Our mission is to serve the kids that need us most,” Lewis said. “We want to make sure that all youth have that one adult that they can count on, that's going to be with them through thick and thin.”

In addition to helping reduce crime, Mears said he hopes the initiative improves the relationship between law enforcement and the community.

“There's such a disconnect in our community right now, between the criminal justice system and the community as a whole, in particular with young people,” Mears said. “I think this is a way that will help try to rebuild that relationship and hopefully restore some level of trust.”

Contact WFYI criminal justice reporter Katrina Pross at kpross@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @katrina_pross.