The Timing of Property Crime, Violent Crime, and Substance Use among Juveniles

This study examines the timing of juvenile delinquent behavior by crime type. A study of 513 youths participating in after-school programs indicates that crimes against persons are elevated during the after-school hours but not as much as during school. Property crime and drug use are not particularly elevated during the after-school hours. Earlier studies either examined a single crime type or aggregated different types of crime together and therefore were misleading because the timing of crime varies considerably by crime type. This study finding suggests that one undesirable side effect of grouping youths together for schooling and after-school programming is an increase in crimes against persons. Implications for theory, policy, and practice are discussed.