Southwestern Indiana county's tactic targets youth gun cases

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Juvenile court officials in one southwestern Indiana county are overhauling their probation services to address a rapidly growing number of gun-related crimes among youths.

The Vanderburgh County Juvenile Court in Evansville is moving three full-time probation officers to the field as part of an intensive probation program in which they'll meet with youths weekly at their schools and homes. The Evansville Courier & Press reports (http://bit.ly/26Cftst) the initiative also will enlist relatives, mentors, teachers, pastors and others to keep juveniles on the right path.

Juvenile Court Judge Brett Niemeier says the number of gun cases "was clearly going through the roof." The number of juvenile firearms arrests in the county rose from eight in 2013 to 44 last year.

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Information from: Evansville Courier & Press, http://www.courierpress.com