Why Paying Youth to Make a Difference Will Reduce Crime
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” – Abraham Lincoln
Rochester, like many cities across the nation, is grappling with a rising tide of youth crime. In recent years, the city has witnessed an alarming uptick in juvenile offenses, particularly vehicle thefts. In the first half of 2023 alone, motor vehicle thefts surged dramatically to over 300 incidents per month—more than five times the average of previous years, which hovered between 50 and 60. These thefts now account for at least a third of all property crimes in the city, fueled in part by viral social media challenges like the "Kia Challenge."
Alongside property crimes, gun violence involving youth continues to be a significant contributor to Rochester's crime rates. The city recorded 256 nonfatal shootings and 52 homicides over the past year. This troubling rise in youth crime underscores the urgent need for solutions that not only reduce violence but also provide young people with viable, positive alternatives. One of the most effective strategies we can implement is incentivizing youth with weekly stipends. This model offers a dual benefit: financial stability for young people while fostering responsibility, professionalism, and a sense of community.
For many youth in underserved communities, the temptation to engage in criminal activity is driven by financial instability. Without access to the resources needed for basic needs—like transportation, food, and clothing—the pressure to seek out illegal means of income becomes overwhelming. A weekly stipend provides tangible financial support, reducing the temptation to turn to crime. When youth receive financial compensation for positive, community-based work, it helps them understand that income can be earned through legal, productive activities.
Research supports the effectiveness of financial incentives in curbing crime. Studies by the Urban Institute (2016) and the American Economic Review (2017) highlight how financial instability leads to aggression, mental health challenges, and an increased likelihood of criminal behavior. By alleviating these pressures, a stipend offers youth a safer, more stable pathway to personal growth, reducing the appeal of crime as a way to cope with financial or emotional hardship.
Beyond providing immediate relief, incentivizing youth with stipends also fosters long-term personal development. When youth see the connection between effort and earnings, they develop a sense of responsibility and ownership over their choices. These stipends can be tied to specific goals and expectations, encouraging skills such as time management, reliability, and discipline. Such skills are crucial for personal and professional success, and the confidence gained from meeting goals and fulfilling responsibilities can steer young people away from the lure of crime.
This initiative is especially important in light of recent legislative changes, such as the “Raise the Age” law, which treats 16- and 17-year-olds as juveniles instead of adults in the criminal justice system. While this shift has reduced the severity of legal consequences for young offenders, some argue that it has created an environment where youth feel emboldened to commit more serious offenses, knowing the legal consequences are less severe. By engaging youth in structured, goal-oriented programs that offer real rewards for positive behavior, we can provide a meaningful alternative to risky and illegal activities. Offering stipends for community involvement helps create that positive alternative, offering youth a clear path away from crime and toward building their future.
One key advantage of offering stipends is that they can encourage youth to engage in positive community service activities such as organizing events, facilitating workshops, and mentoring peers. These activities offer young people a chance to contribute positively to their community while building confidence and purpose. A stipend program allows youth to see that they are not only improving their own lives but also the lives of those around them. Such engagement can also foster a sense of belonging and pride, helping young people to feel connected to their community and empowered to make positive changes.
This model aligns with the work of local organizations like the Rochester Peace Collective (RPC), which has successfully incentivized youth engagement through trauma-informed care and conflict resolution programs. RPC’s focus on re-entry services and support for at-risk youth can be enhanced by offering stipends as a way to provide youth with stable financial resources while promoting community engagement. By introducing stipends into the equation, RPC can expand its efforts to combat crime by offering young people an alternative route to self-sufficiency and stability.
Similar programs in cities like New York and Chicago have demonstrated the effectiveness of youth stipends in reducing crime and improving educational outcomes. In New York City, the "Young Adult Internship Program" provides stipends to youth who participate in job readiness and community service programs. Studies show that this initiative has contributed to a significant reduction in youth crime rates. Locally, the work of the Rochester Peace Collective shows promise, and a stipend program would further support their mission to reduce violence and provide youth with productive opportunities. By offering stipends, we not only give youth a way to meet their immediate financial needs, but we also provide them with the tools they need to build long-term success.
While the surge in youth crime in Rochester presents a complex challenge, offering financial incentives tied to community-based engagement provides a clear and effective solution. By providing stipends, we not only offer youth a chance to meet their immediate financial needs but also equip them with the tools to develop long-term skills for success. This is not just an investment in individual youth; it is an investment in the future of our entire community.
The rise in youth crime is not inevitable—it can be mitigated. With financial support and the right incentives, we can steer young people away from crime and toward a path of growth and community involvement. Together, with the collaboration of local organizations, community leaders, and government, we can build a future where our youth thrive and our city becomes a safer, more vibrant place for everyone. Investing in youth today will pay dividends for our community tomorrow.
~ George Cassidy Payne is a writer and educator. He lives in Irondequoit, NY.
Works Cited
American Economic Review. “Financial Instability and Crime: The Role of Income Support.” American Economic Review, vol. 107, no. 8, 2017, pp. 2189-2217.
Rochester Peace Collective. “Youth Engagement and Community-Based Violence Prevention Programs.” Rochester Peace Collective, 2023, www.rochesterpeacecollective.org/youth-engagement.
Urban Institute. “How Financial Instability Contributes to Aggression and Crime.” Urban Institute, 2016, www.urban.org/research/publication/financial-instability-and-crime.
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