Parish leaders weigh response to rising juvenile crime rate

(The Center Square) – The Caddo Parish Commission launched an effort to curb juvenile crime and promptly sought clarification on a recent increase in the number of young females being detained at Shreveport’s juvenile detention center.

The question arose on Thursday during its juvenile justice committee meeting. Local experts were asked to provide updates about support programs for young offenders. Their work focused on addressing Shreveport’s youth crime problem.

Commissioner John-Paul Young chairs the committee and has been vocal about the need to reduce the crime rate “by giving them more constructive things to do and better guidance.” Young has announced his candidacy for the Shreveport mayoral race in November.

Caddo District Attorney James Stewart released a letter last year drawing attention to an uptick in criminal activity among teen girls and young women. He attributed that rise to the loss of youth support services and the negative influence of social media.

Andrew Randall, director of Juven...