Violent juvenile delinquency has increased in recent years in Hennepin County and other parts of the metro.

On Oct. 22, the Hennepin County Council approved $22 million in general funds and property taxes to combat the problem by renovating a building near 18^th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, which will help children who have committed crimes but are under the age of 14 and cannot be charged as adults under Minnesota state law.

Commissioner Jeffrey Lunde, who chairs the county board’s public safety committee, told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that growing trend of young juvenile delinquents This is a “crisis” and immediate action is needed.

“You know that the system was never designed to accommodate 10-year-olds. I mean, it’s something you’ve never seen,” Lunde said. “I think it’s a crisis.”

Lunde told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that minors under the age of 14, who cannot be charged as adults, would be eligible to receive specialized treatment at the renovated facility for issues ranging from mental health to substance abuse and to the trauma of a difficult family life.

“Behavioral health teams will conduct assessments and develop a plan. We usually try to work with families because we knew that families can be a key part of success, so yes, it is suitable,” Lunde said.

Renovation work is expected to begin within a month or two, and Lunde said the building and about 15 beds should be open and ready for use in early 2025.