News & Events
SFY In the News

Police presence in schools is detrimental for students, new study finds
The presence of police in Massachusetts schools is detrimental to students and disproportionately harms Black and brown children, according to a new report released Tuesday.

School Policing In Massachusetts
A new report, co-authored by Citizens for Juvenile Justice and Strategies for Youth, argues that there is little evidence that school resource officers make Massachusetts schools safer for students. We talk about what the study found with Leon Smith, executive director of Citizens for Juvenile Justice.

How Do SROs Impact Racial Equity in the Nation’s Schools
Citizens for Juvenile Justice and SFY support and advocate for reforms to drastically reduce or eliminate the presence of police in our schools. This joint report outlines our rationale why.

Why Law Enforcement Needs to take a Science-Based Approach to Training and Education
Recent events have sparked a nationwide discussion on the role law enforcement plays in society. As such, our communities are demanding and deserve highly trained law enforcement personnel equipped with the decision-making skills required to handle the increasingly complex calls for service that officers face nationwide. This can only be accomplished by evaluating current police training methods against what science has proven to be effective.

Districts coming up short on reporting school-based arrests
A number of Massachusetts school districts are failing to adhere to data collection measures required by the 2018 Criminal Justice Reform Act, with some reporting no school-based arrests when their own records show a significant number of arrests.

‘A disjointed system’: Policing policies fuel criminalization of youth
Strategies For Youth Executive Director Lisa Thurau comments on the lack of national standards when it comes to youth-specific policies or practices and the problems that causes for our communities.

Protecting Our Children with Juvenile Jeopardy
Acena Beck of the Children’s Law Center talks about her experience using Juvenile Jeopardy in Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio as part of her organization’s efforts to protect the rights of children. Listen to the whole episode – but the Juvenile Justice discussion starts at 19:50.

Bill on Massachusetts police reforms, accountability legislation expected Wednesday
Lawmakers are expecting a bill from Gov. Charlie Baker that would mandate a certification process for police officers on Wednesday, vowing to pass law enforcement reforms next month before the current legislative session ends.

Hope Springs Infernal for Better Policing
Right now, the public’s outrage is fierce enough that it may force some change. Young people, as always, are showing us the way. But it is not fair, right or realistic to expect youth to carry all the water… Experience has shown me that what is needed for real, enduring reform starts with the political will at all levels to insist on reforming law enforcement policies and practices in America.

Austin Police Hope A New Take On A Classic Game Will Help Build More Trust With Young People
At what age can you be charged with a crime in Texas? The question appears on a screen in front of a group of teenagers at the Boys and Girls Club in Northeast Austin on a recent Tuesday. Half the room is deliberating as a timer slowly ticks down.
Webinar

Improving Law Enforcement/Youth Interactions in Times of Crisis
How is the current COVID-19 pandemic is impacting youth and their families? Experts provide recommendations for positive law enforcement response.
The webinar took place on April 21, 2020. Click the button below to watch the video and see the supporting materials.