Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Pasadena Police Youth Advisor Program. Research methodology. The research design of this study was descriptive, ex post facto (casual comparative). The entire population of 127 at-risk youth who were assigned a Youth Advisor during the calendar year 1989 was analyzed. The analysis was based on the dependent variables of (1) police contacts; (2) police arrests; (3) school attendance; (4) Grade Point Average (GPA); and (5) self-esteem. Police and school records were checked for the period before January 1, 1989. Data based on the listed variables were recorded. Police and school records were again checked for the period after December 31, 1989. An established self-esteem instrument was administered to the listed at-risk youth who had completed the program. A control group was administered the instrument as a means of comparison. Frequency distribution tables were developed listing the results of the analysis. Findings. (1) The study found that there was an 8 percent increase in criminal arrests; however, there was an 11 percent decrease in overall police contacts. Chi-Square was performed and revealed no significant difference between pre and post Youth Advisor contact with the at-risk youth studied. In assessing the increase in arrests, the researcher felt that the reduction in police contacts far outweighed the increase in arrests. (2) There was a 12.5 percent reduction in school absenteeism as a result of Youth Advisor intervention. (3) The overall Grade Point Average (GPA) was shown to be higher by 22 percent in youth who have had Youth Advisor intervention. (4) Self-esteem was shown to have increased by 33 percent in youth with Youth Advisor intervention. Chi-Square statistics revealed that Youth Advisor intervention made a significant difference in the outcome of the acquired data. Conclusion. The data collected, and represented by frequency distribution tables, gave a clear descriptive indication that the Pasadena Police Youth Advisor Program is an effective juvenile delinquency intervention program. It appears that no other program takes at-risk youth from the community and pays them to talk to other at-risk youth in the community.