Greg Rothaus Police Chief 600 Elm Street San Carlos, CA 94070 Phone: (650) 802-4277 Fax: (650) 595-3049
Youth and Family Services Unit
San Carlos Police Department Youth and Family Services Unit
Multi-Phase Criminal Intervention & Families In Transition
In Partnership with the San Carlos Parks & Recreation Department
A note from our Chief:
Policing our communities requires more than just criminal
apprehension and prosecution. To successfully build safe communities
requires the understanding of the root causes of crime and the
implementation of strategies to address those root causes. That is why
we created the Youth Family Services Unit in the San Carlos
Police Department.
Over 50% of the criminal activity in California is thought to be perpetrated by juveniles.
Unfortunately, the Juvenile Justice System offers few options and first time offenders are
often punished in ways that do little to help get them on the right track. Without life skills and an
understanding of the consequences of their behavior, young offenders are likely to re-offend.
Parents have a critical role in changing the behavior pattern of the young offender and they also
need support as they go about this important task.
Our Juvenile Criminal Diversion Program and Early Intervention Program commits at
risk youth and first time offenders to a 6-month contract that is designed to get them to accept
responsibility for their behavior and teach them important life skills for their future success. Our
programs help young offenders and at risk youth see that the consequences of their behavior can
be severe and that there are many positive alternatives for them. By successfully completing
the program, the young offender avoids second criminal prosecution and gets a second
chance. The parents also sign the contract and are helped out along the way by our staff. I
encourage you to read the information provided below for more details about our program.
Sincerely,
Greg Rothaus,
Chief of Police
How these
programs work:
The Multi- Phase Criminal Intervention and Families In Transition early intervention programs will allow first-time criminal offenders and at risk youth, intervention that is needed to divert them from the traditional Juvenile Justice System and provided an opportunity to correct their mistakes. In both programs the parent and youth sign a 6-month contract, wherein they agree to follow the terms of the contract.
The contract for both programs will include:
Individual and Family Counseling (No Cost to the family)
Curfews
Peer Support Groups
Parenting Classes including child care
Learning Essential Life Skills such as decision making, conflict & anger management and social skills
Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Victim/Offender mediation may also be involved to hold the juvenile directly accountable to the victim and the community
Restitution to the victim
Understanding the results of their criminal actions
San Quentin State Prison Choices Program for boys
Chochilla State Prison U-Turn Program for girls
Improved attendance at school withouttardiness or absences
Failure to complete all of the contractrequirements
results in the young
offender being prosecuted
and/or terminated from the program.
For more information regarding these programs or your individual contract, contact the San Carlos Police Department Juvenile Detective Tom Marinos, the Counseling Director Marian Ellette, or Officer Ron Albertson at 650-802-4277.