Dayton Police Launch Pilot Program for Runaway Teens
The city is partnering with Daybreak to manage runaway juvenile cases and free up police resources.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Dayton Police Department has implemented the Runaway, Outreach, Notification and Intervention program to divert runaway teen cases to professional support staff. This initiative focuses on juveniles aged 14 to 17, with Daybreak staff handling case reviews and family coordination.
Why it matters
The program aims to address the root causes of recurring runaway incidents while increasing the amount of available patrol time for police officers. By shifting non-criminal cases to specialized support services, the department hopes to improve outcomes for families.
The RONI pilot program received $750,000 in grant funding from the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. In 2025, Dayton police responded to more than 1,800 runaway or missing juvenile calls.
The players
Dayton Police Department
This local agency serves as the primary law enforcement body for the city of Dayton.
Daybreak
This organization provides specialized support services and staff to manage case reviews for at-risk youth.
Ohio Department of Public Safety
This state agency provided grant funding for the new runaway intervention initiative.
Ohio Department of Children and Youth
This state department co-funded the program to support intervention efforts for runaway youth.
The details
Daybreak staff now manage the follow-up process for eligible cases by contacting families to verify safety and providing access to support services. Police retain control over investigations involving criminal activity, suspicious circumstances, or significant safety risks.
Timeline
In 2025, police spent 3,590 hours on runaway and missing juvenile reports.
On October 29, 2026, the Dayton Police Department launched the RONI pilot program.
Legal Context
The program follows a pattern set by state-funded initiatives aimed at municipal resource optimization. It utilizes the Ohio Department of Public Safety grant requirements to shift police responsibilities toward community-led intervention.
Residents may see a change in how runaway reports are handled, as police presence is reduced for non-criminal juvenile cases. This shift aims to make more officers available to respond to other emergency calls throughout the city.
The takeaway
This program reflects a growing trend of municipal departments offloading social-service-adjacent work to specialized entities. Families experiencing recurring runaway incidents can now access direct support services through the new partnership.
Further reading
Learn more about local initiatives at the Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKEF.
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