officials at santa cruz county juvenile hall have formed a committee to change the criteria law enforcement uses to evaluate teens for potential incarceration. the current system in use is a points-based “risk instrument” checklist, to determine if incarceration is necessary. the change comes after a 17-year old watsonville boy was arrested and released by police, and 3 hours after the release, the boy slashed another teen across the face. police representatives and juvenile hall officials are expected to meet next month to update the system.
