Crimelabs: advising young people on tackling juvenile crime
April 9 was the closing meeting of the first edition of Crimelabs at the Heerlen Town Hall. Crimelabs is a project where we actively involve students from VISTA College in making policies to combat youth crime in Heerlen-North. Today the students presented their recommendations to the municipality of Heerlen. Alderman Youth Arlette Vrusch, several boas and security officers were present.
Students from the Enforcement, Supervision and Safety program at VISTA College will spend the next ten years in the Crimelabs project advising the municipality on an issue about youth crime or youth problems. This edition, the issue was "How do we deal with loitering youth in Heerlen-North?
Opinions
In recent months, the students have been busy shaping their opinions on the issue. They received support from CAOP agency (formerly Kennisland), experts by experience and professionals. The students' advice ranged from creating more awareness among young people to providing alternatives, such as a legal hangout space or organizing activities, for example a summer camp. Some student groups focused on preventing problem behavior and others focused instead on addressing those who cause a nuisance.
The municipality will examine how the advice submitted can be implemented in the approach against juvenile crime.
Alderman Vrusch:
"By actively involving young people in policy-making, we can jointly establish facilities that appeal to the target group. After all, young people know better than anyone what is going on among their peers and what they need to build a bright future. Input from youth should never be underestimated, They can do a lot if only they are given the opportunity to do so."
Prevention with Authority
Crimelabs fits within the broader efforts of the municipality's Prevention with Authority program to address youth crime in Heerlen. Our focus is primarily on Heerlen-North. Due to poverty and social problems, youth in this part of the city are at greater risk of ending up in crime.