Prosecutors can play a significant role in reducing and preventing juvenile involvement with drugs and related criminal activities, their involvement with criminal gangs, and youth violence overall. The examples provided show that prosecutors' efforts that go beyond the traditional functions of investigation and prosecution especially when they are coordinated with other agencies' activities and involve the community at large -- are much more effective in increasing public safety and keeping young people out of trouble.

Many of the responsibilities involved in implementing such programs require little more than creativity, the willingness to work with others, and some extra time. Using JAIBG funds as seed money to plan, develop, and begin a more comprehensive, coordinated program to reduce the more serious juvenile crimes in a community can go a long way. In many cases, initial startup requires much more financial support than maintaining a program. In addition, finding the resources for established programs that benefit the community and juvenile justice system after initial funding runs out is generally not difficult if plans to sustain the program locally are made well in advance.