One of the most pressing and socially significant tasks facing modern society is the reduction and prevention of crimes and offences committed by minors.
One of the most pressing and socially significant tasks facing modern society is the reduction and prevention of crimes and offences committed by minors.
Juvenile delinquency is characterised by its dynamism and a high degree of latency. Individuals who embark on a path of criminal activity at an early age are difficult to reform and re-educate and, as a rule, represent a reserve for adult criminality.
Inspections conducted by the prosecutor's office and analysis of available data indicate that in the district, law enforcement agencies, in cooperation with local executive and administrative bodies, the commission for juvenile affairs, education, healthcare, and employment authorities, as well as other institutions and organisations, are carrying out significant work on the prevention of neglect, offences, and other anti-social actions by minors and youth, identifying and eliminating their causes and conditions, and protecting children's rights.
Based on the results of the first half of 2024, there has been a decrease in juvenile crime in the Lepel district, from 3 to 1 cases compared to the same period in 2023. However, an increase from 10 to 40 offences committed by minors has been observed.
At the same time, not all state bodies and prevention entities have paid due attention to the issues of preventing crimes and offences among minors and to the enforcement of legislation concerning minors.
The main types of offences committed by minors in the district continue to be those stipulated by Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences (drinking alcoholic, low-alcohol beverages or beer in a public place, or appearing in a public place in a state of intoxication) – 16 cases (first 6 months of 2023 – 10 cases).
The majority of minors who have committed an administrative offence under Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences, as in the previous year, are students of the educational institution "Lepel State Agrarian-Technical College".
It should also be noted that the majority of offences committed by minors occur between 18:00 and 24:00. This situation requires close attention to
employment of minors in the evening and their unsupervised presence at night.
Based on the results of 6 months of 2024, the district prosecutor's office conducted 3 inspections of the enforcement of legislation on minors and youth, including: 1 - on the prevention of neglect and offenses, crimes among minors, 2 - on the protection of the rights of orphans, children left without parental care, and persons of orphan category, as well as on the upbringing of children and the protection of their rights in dysfunctional families.
As a result of the inspections, 3 submissions were made, 3 orders were issued, 1 protest was filed, 2 resolutions were issued, 13 persons were subjected to disciplinary action, and 1 person was subjected to administrative action.
The district prosecutor's office constantly analyzes the enforcement of legislation by the region's prevention entities aimed at preventing family dysfunction and social orphanhood, and coordinates the work of state bodies in this area.
Overall, prevention entities are carrying out work to protect the rights and legitimate interests of children, and certain measures are being taken. However, a negative trend is observed in the district regarding the increase in the number of families and children recognized as being in a socially dangerous situation.
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As of 01.07.2024, 80 children from 41 families were recognized as being in a socially dangerous situation (in the same period of 2023 - 64 children from 33 families), and 13 children from 7 families were recognized as needing state protection (6 children from 4 families).
Of particular concern are families whose children, shortly after being returned to their biological families, are recognized as being in a socially dangerous situation. This indicates insufficient work by the interested entities with such families and a lack of an individual approach in developing measures that have led to the creation of an unfavorable environment for children.
The prosecutor's office also conducts monitoring of the work on enforcing legislation to prevent child deaths from external causes.
In accordance with the requirements of Directive of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 1 of 11.03.2004 "On measures to strengthen public safety and discipline," heads at all levels are instructed to take comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of life
and health of people.
By the protocol of the commission for the inspection of potentially dangerous objects located in the Lepel district dated 30.11.2023
approved the passport of potentially dangerous facilities.
At the same time, during monitoring, the district prosecutor's office identified a facility not included in the Passport, but which, due to its location and condition, poses a danger to minors.
Thus, during the inspection of a disused building in the village of Zvezda
on Ozernaya Street, it was established that individual structural elements inside the said building are in a dilapidated state, with broken bricks and parts of reinforced concrete structures everywhere. The said building is freely accessible, which creates a threat to the life and health of citizens, including minors.
Empty bottles of energy drinks and lemonade, as well as inscriptions on the walls inside and outside, testify to repeated instances of unauthorized persons, including minors, entering the vacant premises of this building. In addition, bottles of alcoholic beverages, empty cigarette packs, and cigarette butts are scattered throughout the building. Household waste and other rubbish are present.
Based on the order of the district prosecutor, the aforementioned disused building has been included in the passport of potentially dangerous facilities located in the Lepel district.
Prosecutor of Lepel District V.M. Zhigimont