Juvenile crime rates have been falling since 1994, and cities and states are experimenting with various policies intended to discourage youth violence.

• Juvenile crime rates grew 43 percent from 1989 to 1993, but have fallen since then to 1989 levels.

• From 1995 to 1996, juvenile arrests for violent crime fell 6.8 percent in big cities and 2.7 percent in rural areas -- but increased 2.2 percent in suburban areas.

• In 1995, one-third of the nation's estimated 2,300 known juvenile murders took place in 10 large U.S. counties that include large cities.

• Most juvenile crimes occur between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., according to government statistics.

While experts are still debating the reason for the drop in youth crime, they note states have been making it easier for youngsters to be tried as adults. Such laws were passed in 42 states between 1992 and 1995. And every state in the union has made it easier to transfer juveniles to criminal courts.

Localities are also pitching in with their own ideas.

• Criminologists in Los Angeles report gang members are involved in truce meetings as public pressure builds against them and they become better informed about what can happen if they commit violent acts.

• Los Angeles also passed a curfew law in 1996 to clear the streets of juveniles between 10 p.m. and sunrise.

• Nationally, arrests for curfew violations increased 21 percent between 1995 and 1996 -- and more than doubled between 1992 and 1996.

• Old-fashioned truancy laws are being resurrected -- with California's San Bernardino County fining parents up to $500 for failing to keep their children in school.