Oregon Public Broadcasting

Multnomah County teenagers are becoming more responsible -- according to a study released Tuesday. Kristian Foden-Vencil has more.

The annual crime survey found the number of assaults, sexual offenses and property crimes committed by kids dropped 11 percent last year.

The recidivism rate – that is the number of teenagers who go back to a life of crime after serving a sentence – also dropped – to the lowest rate in six years.

Multnomah County spokesman, Jason Ziedenberg, called it “impressive” – especially considering that the year before, juvenile crime jumped.

Jason Ziedenberg: “You know, at a time when kids are going back to school, this is good news. Kids are committing less crime and they’re less likely to re-offend.”

It wasn’t all good news, however. Researchers found serious crime among juveniles: like robbery and homicide, increased.

But they also established that the vast majority of kids – 94 percent – aren’t on the wrong side of the law at all.