Is Texas Facing a Youth Crime Surge? What You Need to Know

Get our free mobile app

Is Abilene Facing a Youth Crime Surge? What You Need to Know

Lately, driving home at night or heading to work early, I’ve noticed a trend that worries me. More often than not, I see flashing lights and local police officers pulling over what appear to be young people. Just last month, my daughter, who looks 16 but is 22, got pulled over. The officer kept asking her questions like, 'Why are you out this late at night? Where are you going, and where do you live?'

She was making a quick 10 o’clock dash to get some chicken while studying for her college exams. The officer opened her front passenger door to ask these questions and was shining his flashlight into the back seat as if he were looking for something.

That got me wondering: Is youth crime on the rise here in Abilene? Curious, I decided to dig into the numbers, and what I found was both surprising and alarming. Simply put, in general, there has been a 33.6% rise in youth committed felonies since 2022 in Texas.

 Juvenile Crime Spike Across Texas

While Abilene remains a relatively safe city, other areas in Texas are seeing a troubling rise in youth crime. Take Harris County, for example, where juvenile homicide rates have skyrocketed by 76% since 2021. Even more concerning, there’s been a 25% increase in felony assaults by minors from 2022 to 2024. These aren’t just numbers, they represent a growing issue that can't be ignored.

What Crimes Are Minors Committing?

You might wonder, what exactly are these young individuals getting involved in? Here are some of the most common offenses committed by minors in Texas:

• Curfew Violations: Many cities, including Abilene, enforce curfew laws restricting the hours minors can be out without adult supervision.
• Underage Drinking: A common problem, especially at parties or social events.
• Drug Offenses: Possession of marijuana and other substances is a frequent violation among minors.
• Theft and Vandalism: Shoplifting and property damage are prevalent among younger offenders.
• Traffic Violations: From speeding to driving without a license, minors are no strangers to traffic-related offenses.
• Cell Phone Use While Driving: It’s illegal for drivers under 18 to use a cell phone while behind the wheel, but many ignore this rule.

Is There a Silver Lining?

Despite the rise in violent crimes, community advocates remind us that not all hope is lost. Many minors are being successfully rehabilitated through local community programs designed to keep them out of trouble. These programs are working, but clearly, there’s more to be done to protect our streets and our youth.

As the numbers grow, we must ask ourselves, are we doing enough to curb youth crime here in Abilene before it becomes a bigger problem?