The board will act as a jury for youths accused of crimes, giving them a chance to right wrongs without a criminal record.
By ANNE LINDBERG
Published August 11, 2004
LEALMAN - Twelve people enlisted as the first members of a neighborhood board whose goal is to help troubled kids turn their lives around.
Starting in October, the Community Restorative Justice Board of Lealman will act as a jury for neighborhood kids who are accused of crimes. They will help determine the punishment for those young people and help them take responsibility for their actions.
It's all part of the COMPASS program that Pinellas State Attorney Bernie McCabe is bringing to Lealman. COMPASS, which stands for Community Prosecuting Attorney Service System, offers youthful offenders a chance to redeem themselves without having a conviction on their records.
"I'm excited about bringing this program into the community," said Ron Kimball, a volunteer justice board member.
"This program is an opportunity for (kids) to correct the mistakes of youth without being fully involved in the court system," Kimball said. "I think the great thing about it is they're giving back to the community they offended."
About 350 kids have entered COMPASS during its 18 months in parts of Clearwater.
After its expansion into east Lealman, plans are for the program to enter French Villas in west Lealman, High Point and part of the Ridgecrest area.
Those areas have active community groups willing to volunteer their time, said Vance Arnett, who manages COMPASS.
"Do I think you're riddled with crime?" Arnett asked the volunteers at Monday's orientation. "No, I do not."
The Lealman program will kick off next week, Arnett said. Prosecutors will start evaluating Lealman kids who are accused of crimes to see if they might benefit from the program.
Prosecutors will weigh several factors, including the severity of the crime, although a felony is not a bar to entering COMPASS; how often the youth has been involved in the criminal justice system; and the number of co-defendants.
"One good playground fight can generate 30 cases," Arnett said.
If prosecutors think the child will successfully complete the program, a letter is sent to the parents. If the parents and child agree, the kid goes into COMPASS.
Once there, the severity of the punishment can vary, but it generally includes such things as written letters of apology, community service and supervised work days.
About three to five weeks into the program, the kid faces the community board, which will help decide the appropriate punishment.
"They're afraid of the board," Arnett said. "They're afraid to come before members of the community."
Arnett said for the COMPASS intervention to be successful, four things must happen:
The child accepts responsibility for his behavior.
The youth helps restore the loss he caused - by community service, for example.
The juvenile gains some skills that will help him avoid repeating the bad behavior.
The youth goes to school on time and attends every class every day.
