A deep gap remains how to deal with youth crime

Albuquerque, Nm – it is clear that the gap is deeply about what to do with more children in New Mexico and teenagers who are committed. Since some legislators demand more difficult punishments, others demand support instead.

On Wednesday, the cooperation of the youth community of Senator Linda Lopez (D-11), the representative of Bernalillo County, Adriann Barboa, and others, and others, to promote guidelines that support community-based programs instead of criminalizing our youth.

“What New Mexico has to do is to do what I call transformative work, and it does not check and checks how we are punishable for some of these young people, but actually what do we do to invest in them?” Said Lopez.

Lopez said it was time for changes. For a year now, some Lopez colleagues have discussed paths in the Roundhouse to solve the growing problem of youth crime in our state. In this past legislative period, it has not a single draft law that dealt directly with juvenile delinquency, led through the finish line.

“Where are the solutions? Where are the stories of the people with experiences? These people were missing for many, many committee meetings in Santa Fe,” continued Lopez. “It was an opportunity for us to start the discussion. None of the bills said goodbye, which is a good thing.”

Rodrigo Rodriguez is the director of the judiciary for the young community collaborative. He agreed to Lopez and said that these failed legal templates focused on criminalization rather than alternatives.

“We firmly believe that, like the people who are closest to the pain, the solution is closest to the solution,” said Rodriguez. “So we are really demanding here, as we said, is justice for the youth. We want young people who are involved in these conversations.”

According to Rodriguez, some of these solutions are organizations and programs within the cooperation, such as the La Plazita Institute.

“I myself was able to completely turn my life around. My life changed when I was 16 and I was charged with the crime,” said Davina Valdez.

Valdez said that she was transferred from the youth detection center of the Bernalillo County to the institute. She said that it made the difference to be back on the right way.

“La Plazita greeted me every time I went there and came back there,” she continued. “If I needed instructions and many things that I didn't understand, I understand now and I continue to learn and grow. If I recommend something, I would use resources and all these organizations that helped us to be the (people) that we are today.”

Commissioner Barboa said she believes that things like County programs are part of the solution. She said that the district brings the summer back to the summer to provide free and more affordable programs for families and children.

As for the children who are charged with more serious crimes like murder, Lopez argued that the solution no longer locks children. Barboa argued that she and your families need more support.

“You only address the crime after the crime when we don't become new when we say that we will lock up more people,” said Barboa. “I have not seen any suggestions that actually use something that says that we are doing this problem.”

Lopez said she wanted to see further discussions in the next legislative period and tackle solutions.

“We have to have a conversation in legislation,” said Lopez. “We have to clarify ourselves before we even fit in with regard to a special meeting.”

Kob 4 asked what could be done now while waiting for the next meeting.

“The crisis is not on the back of our young people,” said Lopez. “They watch us as an adult. We also have to see what we do. It doesn't mean that it is your problem, it's our problem.”