(The Center Square) — While juvenile crime in Caddo Parish was on the rise at the start of the year, newly reported numbers presented by the Caddo Commission show a slight decrease since the last work session.
Erica Bryant, parish administrator, shared new juvenile numbers during Monday’s work session. The reported stats show 19 in detention, two 17-year-olds in the Office of Juvenile Justice, 27 with the chief court counselor and 423 probation cases.
This is a slight drop since the last work session on Feb. 18, when juvenile numbers were 24 in detention, five in the Office of Juvenile Justice, 27 with the chief court counselor and 452 on probation.
Recently reported crime showed 40 arrests of juveniles taking place as of Feb. 21 and 34 intakes in January. In 2023, the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office reported 222 juvenile arrests and 269 juvenile arrests in 2024.
As discussed in the previous Caddo Parish Juvenile Justice and Related Services Committee meeting earlier this month, truancy is a big issue in Caddo Parish, which could potentially be leading to rising crime among juveniles.
The most common crime so far in 2025 for intakes in January was domestic abuse battery. Many officials throughout the city, including Juvenile Services Director Andrew Randall and Caddo District Attorney James Stewart, are actively seeking ways to help remove juveniles from the system through programs and offerings in the detention center.
Previous reported juvenile numbers for Caddo Parish on Feb. 4 showed 17 in detention, five in the Office of Juvenile Justice, 24 with the chief court counselor and 458 on probation. In the Jan. 6 work session, Bryant reported 13 in detention, one in the Office of Juvenile Justice, 22 with the chief court counselor and 472 on probation.
An upcoming election on March 29 allows residents to vote to revise Amendment No. 3 of the Louisiana Constitution. If passed by a majority of voters, it would allow courts the authority to try those under age 17 as adults in felony cases.
