Rochester, N.Y.- The Rochester Police Department is trying out a new approach to dealing with minor offenses committed by young people in the city.
In March, the department will begin a six-month pilot program in the southwest section of the city using restorative justice practices in addressing crimes of theft, graffiti and criminal mischief committed by youth.
Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm caused or revealed by criminal behavior. It is intended to enable crime victims to have their needs met and encourages those who harm to take responsibility for their actions and repair the damage.
In a press conference Wednesday, Rochester’s Police chief said he wants to take some young people who commit low-level offenses and instead of doing a crime report and putting them into the criminal justice system, try to resolve the harm they caused. An example Chief James Sheppard used was perhaps the offender pays for the window they broke, instead of being charged with a crime.
“When the victim has the opportunity to tell the perpetrator why they are offended, why it is upsetting to them, it gives them some relief, and at the same time for the offender to hear that it sometimes it changes how they go about their life in the future,” said Sheppard.
Constable Sandie Hastings, a native of Leicestershire, UK, is an internationally recognized expert in restorative community policing. She is helping train Rochester Police officers.
RIT’s Center for Public Safety will help evaluate the program.
