| Violent and property crime rates at the | | | | Education's National Center for |
| nation's schools during 2005 were down. | | | | Education Statistics, violent and |
| 57 such crimes per 1,000 students age 12 | | | | property, crime rates remained about the |
| or older were statistically unchanged | | | | same in the year 2005 compared to the |
| from the 2004 rate of 55 victimizations | | | | year prior. Crimes like rape, sexual |
| per 1,000 students. | | | | assault, robbery, aggravated assault, |
| We see how crime and violence affect | | | | simple assault and also theft were |
| children every day, said Brooklyn-based | | | | measured. |
| Children of the City Board member Rocco | | | | In 2005, students ages 15 to 18 were |
| Basile. "We also see how a community can | | | | less likely than kids from 12 to 14, to |
| help with after school programs that get | | | | be victims of crime at school. It |
| parents and kids involved." | | | | appears that older students were more |
| One of Basile's personal favorites is | | | | likely than younger students to be |
| the Children of the City after school | | | | victims of crime while away from school. |
| program in Sunset Park, which is in | | | | Serious violent victimizations were |
| Brooklyn, New York. Because of the | | | | lower at school than away from school |
| organization's programs, those students | | | | for survey years from 1992 through 2005. |
| who were at-risk students in junior high | | | | Students who observed the use of |
| school are now doing terrific in high | | | | security cameras at their school |
| school. Plus they are volunteering their | | | | increased from 39 percent in 2001 to 58 |
| free time back into the program to help | | | | percent during the year 2005. Of the |
| other students and families in need. | | | | students in grades 9 through 12 an |
| For example, Stephanie is one of five | | | | estimated 43 percent reported drinking |
| children in a struggling single parent | | | | alcohol anywhere and four percent |
| home. Recently she was accepted into the | | | | reported drinking at school during the |
| National Honor Society. Stephanie | | | | 30 days prior to the 2005 survey. |
| attributes her recent successes to the | | | | Office of Justice Programs (OJP) |
| support that Children of the City gave | | | | provides federal leadership in |
| her. | | | | developing the nation's capacity to |
| Another program known as FutureSafe is a | | | | prevent and control crime, administer |
| collaborative monthly event attended by | | | | justice and assist victims. |
| 500 children with a much-needed | | | | Programs like Children of the City |
| preventative element designed to deter | | | | connects kids and their parents to |
| children from drug abuse, delinquency, | | | | resources to address their current |
| gang involvement and teen pregnancy. | | | | crises, including educating and |
| Attending one of these events is often a | | | | empowering them to break the negative |
| first step for children when it comes to | | | | and destructive cycles they've grown up |
| engaging in structured after school | | | | with. The goal is to help kids learn to |
| activities and events. | | | | take responsibility to bring lasting |
| In a report released a year ago by the | | | | change to themselves, their environment, |
| Justice Department's Bureau of Justice | | | | and their community. |
| Statistics (BJS) and the Department of | | | | |