Lørenskog municipality in Norway must save over 100 million kroner. Officials proposed brutal budget cuts that would eliminate all youth programs. The plan would close outdoor contact services and disband school absence teams.
These cuts come as police warn about rising criminal recruitment of children. Officers report more young people joining violent networks.
All sports subsidies face elimination under the proposal. Both the ice hockey hall and table tennis hall would close permanently.
Ola Hugo Jordhøy from the local sports council expressed concern. He said this affects 600 to 800 teenagers who will have no activities in Lørenskog. He called the situation backward.
Local governments across Norway face difficult budget decisions. But cutting youth programs during a crime wave seems counterproductive. The timing could not be worse for community safety efforts.