Base leaders seek to curb youth misconduct this summer

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – The end of another school year is nearing and the 66th Security Forces Squadron here has historically seen an increase in mischievous behavior by youth on the installation this time of year.

To deter misconduct, Hanscom officials have the authority to initiate the Juvenile Corrections Board Program to improve youth conduct and deter potential youth violators.

“The installation commander has the authority to initiate a Juvenile Corrections Board to rehabilitate dependent children living at Hanscom Air Force Base before their behavior requires intervention from local law enforcement,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth Ferland, 66th Air Base Group deputy commander, who chairs the JCB.

In addition to the ABG deputy commander, other correction board members include representatives from Youth Services, Security Forces and the Legal Office.

According to 66th Air Base Group Instruction 31-801, “participation in the JCB is voluntary; however, failure to participate may result in referral of the case to Federal Magistrate Court or barment from Hanscom AFB.”

The JCB provides standardized disciplinary services and procedures for dealing with juvenile misconduct on the installation.

“The installation commander may suspend or revoke base privileges of any juvenile or adult whose behavior is inappropriate or detrimental to good order and discipline,” Ferland said. “Living on Hanscom is a privilege and the JCB is a resource for Hanscom leadership and parents to use when needed.”

Ferland added that actions the installation commander can take include revoking Commissary and AAFES privileges, base housing privileges or, in the most severe cases, even the privilege to enter Hanscom Air Force Base.

Officials from the 66th Force Support Squadron encourage parents to promote participation in summer programs at the Youth Center or involvement in similar programs off base.

“The Youth Center offers a wide variety of activities for preteens and teens to participate in throughout the summer months,” said Scott Craver, 66 FSS Child and Youth Services Flight chief. “They include clubs, babysitting and smart start classes, youth sports camps and clinics, health and fitness programs, a variety of trips and much more.”

To learn more about programs at the Youth Center, call 781-225-6043 or visit their website at https://www.hanscomfss.com/school-age-youth.  

Hanscom SFS personnel will also continue to enforce the Hanscom youth curfew policy throughout the summer months.

“Children under the age of 18 who are unaccompanied by an adult are restricted from being outdoors Sunday through Thursday from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from midnight to 6 a.m.,” said Tech. Sgt. Ira Sollace, noncommissioned officer in charge of Police Services. “We also ask parents to enforce the base curfew and be familiar with other on-base policies.”

For further information about on-base policies relating to law enforcement, contact Police Services at 781-225-5605.

To learn more about the Juvenile Correction Board Program, review 66th Air Base Group Instruction 31-801 on the secure 66 ABG SharePoint site.