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The Shoplifters
Accountability Program is an Office of Juvenile
Justice (OJJS)
program targeting juveniles in Calcasieu Parish who
have an accepted charge of theft of goods or
attempted theft of goods from a retail store in the
parish. This program began in October of 2001, and
since that time over 350 juveniles ages 10-17 and at
least one parent/guardian from each has attended and
completed the program. It is a 3½ hour inter-active
program where the juvenile is required to write a
letter of apology to the manager of the retail
store, explain to the class why he or she committed
the act, and take a pre and post test on the laws
pertaining to their crime. Probation officers also
facilitate other aspects of the program.
The success rate of this
program in reducing repeat offenders is phenomenal,
at a rate of over 97%. According to William Sommers, Director of Probation/Intake Services, the
success rate is due to the hard work and dedication
of Katherine Vincent and Monet Newman, Juvenile
Probation Officers. “They have tweaked this program to
the point where the juveniles fully understand why
they are here and the consequences of their actions.
Probation Officer Vincent likens the success rate
due to the program being educational and not
punitive in nature.
OJJS has recently
partnered with local law enforcement agencies to
produce a poster that is being placed in
retail stores and schools in the parish as an
educational tool and possible deterrent for would-be
shoplifters. The response to the posters has been “overwhelming”
according to early feedback.
To obtain a poster or to
get more information about the Shoplifters
Accountability Program, call the Office of Juvenile
Justice Services at 337-721-3900. |
