Probation releases 2024 Juvenile Justice data book showing arrests up slightly from 2023 and stark racial disparities

Santa Clara County Probation presented its 2024 Juvenile Justice Annual Databook to the Children, Seniors and Families Committee on Nov. 20, reporting modest increases in arrests from 2023 alongside continued racial disproportionality.

"In 2024, there were a total of 2,281 arrests and citations, which is an increase of 4% from the previous year," the department's presenter said. The databook showed 1,842 unique youth were arrested in 2024 (a 10% increase from 2023) but noted that the county remains 32% below 2019 pre-pandemic levels.

The presentation highlighted racial disparities: Black youth comprise about 3% of the county's youth population but 9% of arrests and 13% of detentions; Latino youth account for roughly 35% of the youth population yet make up 67% of arrests and 77% of detentions. The department calculated disparity ratios showing Black youth were nearly seven times and Latino youth nearly four times as likely to be arrested as white youth at key decision points.

Top arrest categories for 2024 included petty theft (largest year-over-year increase, +57%), obstruction (+38%) and felony assault (+17%), while misdemeanor assault and robbery declined slightly. Geographic concentrations of arrests remained centered in San Jose and some South County ZIP codes (top: Gilroy 95020 and multiple San Jose ZIPs).

The databook also reported juvenile hall figures (782 referrals, 656 detained, 469 detained until hearing) and program-level data: the DIY unit completed 44 assessments in 2024 with mixed dispositions, and nine youth were committed to the Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF).

Committee members asked staff to analyze what the numbers mean in practical terms and how diversion and prevention programs are performing. Probation staff noted that diversion programs have a strong near-term track record: "95 percent of the youth who go through our diversion program do not come back into the system within two years," staff said, and they proposed additional analysis on the small share who do return.

A public commenter noted the databook's finding that about 52% of youth referred to probation had prior child-welfare contact, urging the county to look at abuse histories and system failures. Probation staff said some analyses are presented at the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council and offered follow-up briefings to supervisors seeking deeper interpretation.

The committee voted to receive the report; staff offered to provide South County-specific appendices and follow-up meetings to discuss prevention and program outcomes.