02/14/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

if this section is passed into law and local officials cannot apprehend out-of-state runaways, Oregon may very well become a haven ~ for runaways and add to the already troubled mall area with juveniles ,., committing criminal activities. Councilman Bradley asked if the Lane County Juvenile Court's position on this item was known or was this just a local police problem. Chief Brooks indicated he was not sure but he felt that Mr. Lenarduzzi, of the Lane County Juvenile Court and Doug McCool, an attorney who had previously worked with the Juvenile Court, were both supporting inclusion of "runaway" in Section 17. Mr. Bradley asked if there was a policy reason for leaving out "runaway"; to which Chief Brooks replied there is a new trend in the thinking that the laws should be so drafted that juveniles cannot commit violations of laws that adults cannot commit. He said the problem results in there being no provisions to handle problems resulting from this confusion. Chief Brooks indicat- ed that the process now is that, if a runaway is picked up, he is taken to the station, with attempts made to talk to the parents, and send the runaway home if possible. If it's not possible to contact parents, then the juvenile runaway is taken to Skipworth where contact with parents is handled. By excluding the word "runaway" the Police Department cannot even talk to them or try to help them unless the juvenile commits an offense. Councilman Bradley indicat- ed he felt this was a policy argument, making a juvenile more accountable for his actions if he is only a runaway; then when he commits a criminal offense he would be dealing with the Police Department. Councilman Bradley indicated concern over Article 16, Section 4It 103, regarding confidentiality of records, indicating he opposed the Police Department's recommendation on this matter. Chief Brooks said the recommendation was necessary, in the Police Department's viewpoint, to cut down on paperwork. A case involving both juvenile and adults might end up on the same report and then the problem occurs as to how the report is to be filed under adult offenses or juvenile offenses. Assistant Manager indicated the concern was over automated records and the confidentiality of those records; how the record is used, and who has access are more important than hO;-it's filed and there would not be a violation of confidentiality. He said the point is not whether information should be confidential but whether information on juveniles needs to be separate to accomplish it. Councilman Haws indicated he wanted to preserve confidentiality of the records, but not at a cost to the taxpayers. Mr. Bradley's concern was weighing the cost to the City in record keeping as opposed to the increase in time later on that would accrue from locking juveniles into the criminal process. Mr. Williams indicated the Legislative Subcommittee was in favor of confidentiality of records for juveniles but the question is: was it necessary to create a separate system to do that. - IOY. 2/14/77 - 28