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Church takes court's place for young offenders
By SHARON TUBBS, Times Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG -- Backed by $97,000 in tax money, Bethel Community Baptist Church will take on the sentencing of some young offenders who would otherwise end up in a regular juvenile courtroom. Instead of a judge, St. Petersburg delinquents could face a board of grandmothers, teachers, church elders and business owners from their own neighborhoods. The church, located on 54th Avenue S, is one of 14 faith-based organizations in Florida to receive money this year from the state Department of Juvenile Justice -- and the only recipient in the Tampa Bay area. The department is spending about $1.4-million on programs intended to prevent young offenders from becoming habitual criminals. Bethel will serve youths 10 to 17 and received two grants: $22,153 to establish neighborhood accountability boards and $75,000 for a civil citation program. "This is a proud moment, I think, for our office and this community," said state Rep. Frank Peterman, D-St. Petersburg. Peterman, who is running for re-election in November, is a member of Bethel. He worked with church leaders to get the grants and spoke at a news conference last week. The local programs will fall under the church's nonprofit organization, Bethel Community Foundation, and serve zip codes 33711, 33712, 33705 and 33701 -- roughly Central Avenue south to 54th Avenue S and from 49th Street east to Tampa Bay, said James Myles, the foundation's executive director. Organizers hope to serve 125 juveniles. Myles, 55, is a former Pinellas County school math teacher and says he has worked with juvenile offender programs for about 28 years. "Somewhere along the line, our community has disconnected with the youth," he said, adding that some adults have grown fearful of kids in their neighborhoods. "Our young people deserve being saved," Myles said. "Our young people deserve dignity and humanity." When the civil citation program begins in a few weeks, police officers will be able to refer first-time and second-time misdemeanor offenders to Bethel. Only youths who have admitted to the crimes are eligible. Myles will talk with youths. Two part-time monitors will act as case workers. Monitors may require the child to take substance abuse classes, perform community service or adhere to a curfew. They will follow up with home visits and, possibly, school visits. The juvenile would avoid the court system, and the crime would not become part of a criminal record. The $75,000 grant will help pay salaries for Myles and the part-time workers. Neighborhood accountability boards will deal with offenders who admit to crimes ranging from misdemeanors to third-degree felonies. The State Attorney's Office will refer the juveniles. Board members would decide appropriate sanctions -- formal apologies to victims, restitution or community service. The boards could also order tutoring, family counseling or participation in mental health programs. Crimes referred to accountability boards will become part of juvenile criminal records. Currently, 23 volunteers are being trained for the accountability boards. Myles wants to divide them into four or five teams stationed in neighborhoods, such as Campbell Park, Childs Park and, possibly, the 31st Street S area. The boards are expected to begin hearing cases in mid October, Myles said. The neighborhood accountability grant will pay for expenses, including supplies, rental space and wages for a site coordinator. Bethel will have to reapply for the grants next year. Myles said he was optimistic that the program would be successful. "Hopefully, we can have the funding expanded," he said.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks Letters |
