By Susan Vela
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NORWOOD - Probation officers from Hamilton County Juvenile Court want to leave a tall building in downtown Cincinnati for a "field office" in this neighboring city.

Probation officer Jason Mastandrea, who usually works out of a 16th-floor downtown building on Broadway, visited council members this week to say that court administrators want to set up a field office in City Hall, Norwood Police headquarters or a new police substation in West Norwood.

Because there are only 14 juvenile cases in the city, the "office" would only be used every other week, for up to three hours at a time, he said.

The hope is that the teen juveniles, who must see probation officers because they have committed crimes or run away from their parents, will be less likely to skip appointments.

In the process, probation officers could become familiar with the city's social service programs, Norwood's police officers and community leaders. Dan Joyner, the county's chief probation officer, said there already are several field offices in the county, which have strengthened bonds between teens and their communities and heightened the likelihood that the teens would veer from a life of crime.

"It's holding kids accountable to their community," Mr. Joyner said. "The courts are unknown. We're trying to let them know what we do and that we're part of the community. It's something that benefits the communities and the kids."Norwood officials say that they still have to determine which space will suit the probation officers' needs. But they don't mind donating a meeting or conference room if it means helping Norwood youth.

"We have a lot of juvenile problems here," said Norwood Police Chief William Schlie, who thinks seeing the juveniles trek in and out of public buildings will help city police officers recognize them on city streets. "It's going to be nice to have a contact this close."

Jack Cameron, the city safety-service director, said arrangements to find space for the new "field office" have barely begun.

"We'll have to know what they're really talking about," he said, noting possible telephone and computer line needs.

But he questioned the value of having a field office in the city and how pertinent it can be to a juvenile's future.

"After dealing with some kids, I don't think it matters if it's in their back yards," he said.

E-mail svela@enquirer.com