DescriptionThis model attempts to show the complex interactions between the youth population of Bourke, the justice system, and community engagement programs. This model takes into consideration 3 key variables; the current socio-economic climate of Bourke, the number of police officers, and government funding allocated for community engagement programs. The models goal is to simulate the effects of the above specified variables on the youth population of Bourke.
Component Explanation
Total Youth Population - The total youth population of Bourke, set to an initial value of 100 to represent 100% of the youth population.
Stable Youth Population - Stable youth population is representing the proportion of youth in Bourke that have a stable upbringing and are not at risk of committing crime. Proportion can be altered by use of the socio-economic factors slider.
At Risk Youth Population - At risk youth population is representing the proportion of youth in Bourke that have an unstable upbringing and are at risk of committing crime. Proportion can be altered by use of the socio-economic factors slider.
Youth Crime - Is the amount of crime being committed by youth in Bourke.
Youth Detention - Is the amount of youth being detained for criminal activity.
Participants in Community Engagement Programs - The amount of the youth population that are being engaged to participate in community programs, such as football or netball clubs.
Youth Run Community Programs - Youth that have been engaged by community programs who go that step further and become more heavily involved in there club, such as coaching or youth leadership roles.
*NOTE* The goal of this stock is to attract at risk youth that are only involved as their friends are running it and take them out of that at risk population stock.
Socio-Economic Factors - Takes into consideration the factors of government and economy to give a proportion of stable and at risk youth. Slider goes between 0 and 1, 0=100% at risk, 1= 100% stable.
Police Officers - The amount of police officers present in Bourke. Slider goes between 2 and 53, 2 assuming 1 officer is patrolling and 1 running the station. 53 as the average wage of a NSW police officer is $75000, so with $4000000 available 53 is the most that Bourke could pay.
Program Funding - The funding for community engagement programs. The more higher funding for a the programs the higher the level of youth engagement. Slider values between $25000 and $3850000 as it shares the same $4000000 that the police wages come out of.
*NOTE* program funding slider set step at $75000, which is the average annual salary of a police officer.
*NOTE* when program funding goes up 1 slider step the police officer slider step must go down and vice versa. In order to maintain the $4000000 available for use.
Interesting Results
- The populations follow a cyclic trend based on the 6 month detention youth offenders.
-With a smaller amount of police officers and a higher funding for community programs a high proportion of at risk youth get involved with community programs instead of crime.
- With a high amount of police officers and little funding for community programs. The stable youth population goes on a upward trend and the at risk youth population turn to crime and end up in detention.