Koban Adoption: Juvenile Justice

When you see and are involved with a child growing up in your neighborhood you become a part of that child's life. You know the family and life history of the child. The inter-dissociation of communities causes the breakdown of the foundations that supports the forming of healthy children. When neighbors keep silent about the abuse or neglect of children the child gets hurt. Then the community is surprised when tragedy occurs or when the child lashes out. In cases of juvenile crime - I suspect there are indicators in the child's life that point to the causation of the crime.
The "not my problem or not my business" attitude of society exacerbates the breakdown of the society. When the juvenile has contact with the justice system there is few , if any in the system with a personal knowledge or care (not that no one cares ,but caring as in the "I know you, son- you are better than this" sense) for the youth. This leads to a misunderstanding of the lashing out that many youths are involved in. Intervention before the youth lashes out would be a help to society today.
To identify at risk kids requires an in depth involvement in the communities and the family's that make up the communities.Such is Japans Koban. Japan has the lowest crime rate - The book did not incorporate Japan in to the chapter. I am confused by this omission because what they are doing is working. "Japan’s Koban system is regarded as one of the important factors that contribute to the maintenance of a safe and peaceful society. The key operating principle of the Koban system or community policing is that the Police should work closely with the community. Officers in Kobans set up in locations all round Japan, provide basic police services, keep watch, respond to emergencies, give directions, or otherwise interact with citizens on a more intimate basis than they could from a more distant station.?By working with the community, the Koban officers earn the public’s trust." http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/bi_KOBNSpeech_09.htm
The adoption of a Koban type of policing would benefit today's American society. The involvement of caring people of the community working with police can help the youth..
Did you ever have anyone in your life other than family who cared about you and changed you life for the good? Many youthful offenders will never have this, until it is too late. I affirm with deep sincerity that it does "take a village" to raise a child.The foundation the community gives the child can be the best tool to overcome peer pressure and absent minded, careless decisions that lead to tragedy in the child's life.