Juvenile Crime in Inver Grove Heights, Dakota County Slows

Juvenile crime in Dakota County appears to be on the decline, according to a news release from the office of Dakota County attorney James C. Backstrom.

The total number of juvenile offenders charged with crimes in Dakota County decreased by almost 8 percent last year, dropping from 1,445 in 2010 to 1,334 in 2011.

"It is a good sign that the number of youth charged with a crime in our community continues to drop," said Backstrom, in the release.

This is the ninth consecutive year Dakota County has experienced a decrease in the overall number of juveniles prosecuted for criminal acts.

In Inver Grove Heights, 105 juveniles were charged with crimes in 2010 compared to 68 charged in 2011.

However, in 2011, neighboring Eagan experienced the highest number of juvenile burglaries in Dakota County by far. Ten out of 31 burglaries countywide took place in Eagan compared to zero in Inver Grove Heights.

Inver Grove Heights was the site of four of the 31 juvenile sex-related crimes that took place in Dakota County in 2011.

One of Dakota County’s more notable crimes in 2011 took place in Eagan. A 17-year-old male was charged with, and pled guilty to, breaking into several Eagan homes and, in one home, assaulting a 17-year-old female.

This incident is indicative of the countywide increase in charges for violent juvenile offenses. In 2010, there were 320 such charges. In 2011, there were 383 charges, an almost 20 percent increase.

However, Dakota County also experienced a decrease in the number of juveniles charged with felonies. In 2010, 203 juveniles were charged with felonies. In 2011, 192 were charged. This is a drastic drop in felony charges from 2001, where 420 juveniles were charged.

Backstrom credits county prevention and early intervention programs for the felony decrease. These programs, which are coordinated by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, include youth accountability programs for first time offenders and more intense programming for second time users of alcohol or marijuana. The programs include activities such as community service work and writing letters of apology.

The county attorney’s office is also presenting an Anti-Bullying Initiative. So far, the initiative has been presented to over 15,500 students, staff and parents.

"Educating students on the potential dangers of bullying, harassing or aggressive behaviors, and the dangers associated with ‘sexting’ and how this conduct could lead to criminal charges is important in our efforts to keep our kids safe," said Backstrom, in the news release.