If we’re worried about Ky juvenile crime, we need to look to early childhood | Opinion
This year, Kentucky’s newscasts have been full of reports of a wide variety of juvenile crime, including murder, carjacking, drug abuse, robbery and more. These issues are repeated on a local, state-wide and national basis with alarming regularity.
Many recommendations are being made to address the situation. But as we focus on what is needed, we hope we don’t overlook the need for much earlier intervention with the young people who are getting in trouble.
We can, and we must, do a better job for our children in their early years — before they’re in the back of a police car or facing intake to the state juvenile system. A “problem child” doesn’t get in trouble by accident. Kentucky’s children need high-quality, nurturing, stimulating environments for healthy brain development during the first five years of life to build the cognitive, social, and executive-functioning skills needed for school and work success, including a successful career in the military if they so choose.
We’re both retired Major Generals and members of Mission: Readiness, an organization of retired admirals and generals who hope to strengthen our national security by ensuring kids stay in school, stay fit, and stay out of trouble. Right now, our nation’s military can’t find the recruits it needs, in part because kids either lack a high school diploma, have had problems involving crime and substance abuse, or have health issues, prominently including obesity.
The latest military disqualification data, which became public late last year, is startling. It shows that fully 77 percent of youth between the ages of 17 and 24 cannot qualify for military service, an increase from 2017’s already-troubling ineligibility rate of 71 percent. This obviously has national ramifications that stretch beyond military recruitment. And it’s why we believe it is imperative to support evidence-based policies focused on young people which will improve our workforce, build stronger communities, reduce crime, and strengthen national security.
If Kentucky wants to reduce crime, improve the economy, and promote general well-being among its adult citizens, the task starts early. Early childhood investments—including pre-kindergarten, quality, affordable child care, and fitness and healthy eating, are proven approaches to reducing crime and improving juvenile well-being, social-emotional fitness, and health. They can also preserve the choice to serve in our armed forces for our youngest Americans as they grow.
There’s a well-worn aphorism: “When’s the best time to plant a tree?” And the answer is “25 years ago.” The best time to prevent a 14-year-old from entering the justice system is when he or she is an infant, or as soon as possible after. High-quality early investments will make our communities safer in the long run, as well as bolstering American national security. Our political leaders on every level should put the highest emphasis on building robust public policy in this early childhood area.
Michael W. Davidson is a retired U.S. Army Major General and Edward Tonini is a retired U.S. Air Force Major General. Both are former Adjutant Generals of Kentucky.
