AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO FORMAL PROCESSING ON SHOPLIFTING CHARGES, JUVENILES MAY ELECT TO PARTICIPATE (WITH THEIR PARENTS) IN THE SHOPLIFTING REDUCTION PROGRAM, AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DEVELOPED JOINTLY BY SAN JOSE'S POLICE AND JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENTS. IN WEEKLY SESSIONS, A DELINQUENCY PREVENTION OFFICER FROM THE PROBATION AGENCY, A CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND A PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICER PROVIDED BY LOCAL MERCHANTS MEET WITH YOUNG SHOPLIFTERS AND THEIR PARENTS TO VIEW A FILM ON SHOPLIFTING AND TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION. DURING DISCUSSIONS, THE EMPHASIS IS ON PARENTAL AND CHILD RESPONSIBILITY. PROGRAM PARTICIPATION IS VOLUNTARY, BUT YOUTHS WHO FAIL TO ATTEND THE SESSIONS AS AGREED ARE PROCESSED FORMALLY. THE PROGRAM HAS RESULTED IN A 57-PERCENT COST REDUCTION FOR THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. PARENTS AND JUVENILES HAVE INDICATED THEIR APPROVAL OF THE PROGRAM AND HAVE SUGGESTED WAYS OF EXPANDING IT. WHEN RECIDIVISM RATES FOR 105 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND 45 FIRST-TIME SHOPLIFTERS WHO WERE PROCESSED THROUGH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM WERE COMPARED, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PROGRAM WAS TWICE AS EFFECTIVE AS TRADITIONAL PROCESSING IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM OVER A 1-YEAR PERIOD. A COPY OF THE FORM USED BY PARTICIPANTS TO EVALUATE THE PROGRAM IS APPENDED. (LKM)