JUVENILES MAY NOT BE WAIVED INTO THE ADULT COURTS. THE POLICE MAY EITHER SET A DATE FOR THE OFFENDER, WHO IS NOT 'ARRESTED', TO APPEAR IN FAMILY COURT - THE ONLY COURT HANDLING JUVENILES - OR TAKE HIM DIRECTLY THERE. PROBATION OFFICERS THERE MAY DIVERT HIM, IF THEY CHOOSE, BEFORE HIS APPEARANCE. THE COURT MAY CHOOSE TO DETAIN HIM OR RELEASE HIM. THOSE NOT RELEASED ARE REFERRED TO THE CITY'S DIVISION OF SPECIAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN (SSC). THE SSC THEN MAY DETAIN THE OFFENDERS IN ONE OF THE CITY'S OPEN OR SECURE FACILITIES, SEND THEM TO SHELTER CARE, OR ARRANGE FOR RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT. RECENT CRITICISM OF THE CITY'S INABILITY TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THE PROBLEM OF JUVENILE CRIME AND THE LARGE NUMBER OF OFFENDERS IS REVIEWED. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS ARE DESCRIBED.