Non-profit works to reduce juvenile crime in Middle Tennessee

MT JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN) — A 12-year-old and 14-year-old were already on probation and now they’re in trouble again in connection with a stolen car.

This comes as non-profits are taking a serious look at juvenile crime in Middle Tennessee.  

Over the weekend, Mt. Juliet police caught multiple alleged criminals coming from Nashville. In one arrest, the driver was wanted out of three counties and in possession of guns and drugs.

But in the most recent case, police apprehended three people in connection with a stolen car. Two of the suspects were under 14.

“Every time we do something here at the Urban League, we want to empower them but also change their lives too,” said Kenya McGruder, Urban League of Middle Tennessee. 

McGruder said the non-profit has worked with troubled youth for decades. “We want to wrap as many sources as possible around them, so they are able to make better choices.” 

Nearly a year ago, Metro Council members approved a $1 million grant to the non-profit. The goal was to connect men and women with a criminal past to the Urban League and provide them with resources to turn their lives around.

“However, we are also working with juveniles, so they don’t become a part of their program,” McGruder said.

McGruder said it’s an effort to stop kids from going down the wrong path.   

This year alone, the Juvenile Court in Davidson County said 27 juveniles have been charged with firearm possession. Seven have been charged with theft of a firearm.

It’s a statistic McGruder said is not shocking considering how often firearms are left inside cars. “And that uptick has gone from something I forgot to take this out of my car, to it being stolen and involved in another crime.”

As for the young suspects out of Mt Juliet, both were on juvenile probation. The 12-year-old was on probation for an armed robbery.

The 14-year-old suspect was on probation for car theft.

Both of those prior cases happened in Nashville.