Children in Pierce County continue to be arrested at a lower rate than elsewhere in the state and in other counties similar to ours in population and demographics.  In 2009, the rate of arrests of young children ages 10-14 was 13.17 per 1,000 or 731 arrests for the over 55,000 children in that age group.

Although arrest rates for children are falling, experts in the field would argue that alternative programming and activities directed at children to prevent criminal activity are still needed, especially during the hours immediately following the end of the school day, when children are more likely to be unsupervised.