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Randy stated that there are some disproportionate numbers in Hall County. Overall more cases <br /> appear to be going to probation at 54% than to diversion at about 33%. Hispanic youth are <br /> over-represented at all system points compared to the population of the county. There is a lot of <br /> missing data for race/ethnicity at the courts and law enforcement. There are cases that are <br /> status offenses and if the juvenile was 21 they would not be considered i.e. like running away <br /> etc. There is currently legislation that may change the status offenses. The County Attorney <br /> currently decides which cases are satisfactory for the diversion program. Currently there is not <br /> a way to address the disproportionate numbers in the diversion program. It is an issue and they <br /> are putting strategies in place to try and address this. There is an awareness of this problem. <br /> The county also has the school intervention program for school attendance. Hispanic youth are <br /> more likely to be absent from school. Black youths are also over-represented for being placed <br /> on probation. The information that is received shows that we are disaprotionate when it comes <br /> juveniles of color. <br /> He stated that there is a lot of missing date for race/ethnicity at the courts and law enforcement. <br /> The clerk magistrate stated the ethnicity is part of the confidential information so they do not list <br /> the race. <br /> Hall County has a higher rate of violent crimes when compared to other Nebraska counties <br /> He also noted that Hall County' poverty rate is higher than the State average. <br /> Randy stated that the Hall County Diversion program could consider the following. <br /> • Explore using warning letters for low risk youth <br /> • Best practices is to only drug test youth when needed <br /> • Ensure fees are similar to court costs or have a sliding scale <br /> • Strengthening the process for sealing records in JCMS and with law enforcement <br /> Randy stated that sealing juvenile records is not automatic even though it is required by State <br /> Statute to do so. He assumes that it will get to that point. He stated they will continue to fund <br /> the diversion program and also noted that the county's school intervention program has been <br /> successful so there is no reason to make changes. <br /> Randy stated that the action needed today is to allow the Juvenile Services Committee to <br /> complete the community assessment and submit to the Crime Commission. <br /> Quandt made a motion and Bredthauer seconded to allow the Juvenile Services Committee to <br /> complete the assessment. <br /> Bredthauer ask why Hall county poverty rate is high Randy stated there is a higher diverse <br /> population Randy stated that it is more of a poverty issue than a race issue. It is based on the <br /> number of people in the poverty range. Lancaster noted and the issue of English as a second <br /> language is struggle for Hall County. <br /> Richardson questioned what they used for the rate and Randy stated they used 70% of the <br /> population. Randy stated they did. He stated that some schools have a higher diverse <br /> population. At Grand Island Senior High the minority population is the majority population. <br /> Lancaster stated there are 23 different languages spoken at Senior High. The true local <br /> population is the minority. <br /> 6 <br />