The DeKalb County Juvenile Justice Council recommended action to reduce chronic truancy in county schools to the DeKalb County Board on Wednesday night.

DeKalb County State’s Attorney Ronald Matekaitis represented the 32-member council at the meeting. Truancy is one of four risk factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency, Matekaitis said.

Juvenile delinquency is a growing concern for DeKalb County, Matekaitis said.

“When I was an intern, the juvenile court met half a day, two times a month. Now it meets 2 days every week,” Matekaitis said.

Other risk factors include an individual’s socioeconomic status, alcohol and drug abuse and the overall absence of positive attachments, Matekaitis said.

“It’s common sense. The more people have positive relationships with school, community and family, the less likely they are to engage in delinquency,” Matekaitis said

The council’s plan calls for a 10 percent reduction of chronic truancy beginning this school year, Matekaitis said. Additionally, the council recommended uniform attendance standards for DeKalb County schools.

During the next phase, the council break into groups to address each of the four risk factors.