ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 9, 1996 TAG: 9602090117
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
Crimes committed by America's youth lead the list of problems that are becoming increasingly acute for cities across the country, according to a nationwide survey released Thursday by the National League of Cities.
Of more than 400 city officials participating in the survey, 62 percent said youth crime became more severe in 1995, placing it at the top of 26 issues of concern to municipal leaders. Youth crime also was cited as the problem that has worsened most over the last five years.
Other issues involving young people - including gangs, drugs, teen pregnancy, school violence and family stability - ranked among the top 10 conditions most frequently described as having grown worse in the last year.
Municipal leaders also expressed increasing concern about racial and ethnic issues, unemployment and local economic conditions.
The growing anxiety about youth crime at the local level echoes sentiments expressed by the nation's top law enforcement officials.
Although the most recent national figures indicate that reported incidents of violent crime fell 5 percent during the first half of 1995, some experts have predicted that the decline is only temporary.
LENGTH: Short : 32 linesby CNB