A profile of the 538 minors referred to the department during the survey period shows the following characteristics: (1) an extremely high proportion of black youth; (2) a high number of arrests for drug related offenses and auto thefts; and (3) a relatively high number of minors detained for 48 hours or more only on the basis of noncriminal probation violations or status offenses. The overall detention rate was high: 77.7 percent for the first 24 hours and 61.3 percent for the first 48 hours. This high initial detention rate is contributing to high population levels in the juvenile hall. The detention criteria are not an effective mechanism for the screening of lower risk minors at intake who can safely be released or placed on home supervision. Recommendations include tightening the "detention laundry list" to reduce unnecessary admissions to secure detention and increasing the use of the home supervision option for lower risk minors at or shortly after intake. 9 tables.