Total violent crime referrals have dropped by 20 cases compared to last year. However, the number of murder or manslaughter cases rose by three.
SAN ANTONIO — Violent crime referrals involving juveniles in Bexar County have decreased slightly over the last year, according to new data from the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Office. But county officials say the small progress underscores the need for continued efforts to keep young people out of the criminal justice system.
Judge William Cruz Shaw, who sees many of these cases firsthand, said every case involving a child weighs on him in some way.
“Every case is different but every case has something that kind of pulls at your strings a little bit,” Shaw said.
Total violent crime referrals have dropped by 20 cases compared to this time last year. However, the number of murder or manslaughter cases rose by three.
Shaw said the rise in violence, especially among youth, is often tied to social media interactions.
“Social media has really changed the game,” he said. “I ask kids all the time, why are you doing this? And 9 times out of 10, it’s based on a social media post.”
He said gun-related cases involving juveniles — including incidents on school campuses and in the community — have also remained consistent.
“We are seeing that as pretty consistent and I’d like to see that number drop pretty quickly,” Shaw said.
Shaw emphasized that while young offenders must be held accountable, rehabilitation is equally important.
“They make a bad decision, they have to suffer the consequences, as well as get help from the juvenile probation system which they do a really great job at trying to rehabilitate these kids,” he said.
Chief Probation Officer Jill Mata said community partnerships have been key in driving change.
“That’s what builds a safe community,” Mata said. “If we invest in children so they can support themselves, have opportunities for professions, they’ll be able to take care of their families better and that’s really what builds us safe communities.”
Both Mata and Shaw echoed the importance of early intervention.
“These kids are our future,” Shaw said. “These kids are going to be future leaders or are going to be future criminals and we want more leaders than we want criminals.”
While felony burglary and theft cases are also down, misdemeanor cases — particularly assaults — are on the rise.
Mata said the juvenile probation department will continue working alongside local organizations to address the root causes of youth crime and expand prevention efforts.