NEW YORK — The NYPD is rolling out a new plan targeting the city's at-risk youth.

Some teens are getting arrested 20 times. The NYPD is trying to get ahead of the problem before it's too late.

"At the police department, we encounter some very troubled teens," NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said.

He wants officers to do more to engage with young teens

"The first step is to redefine what our youth officers do," he said.

Shea said the focus of their efforts will break teens into three groups: 14-16 year olds who already have lengthy criminal records, young people youth coordination officers see are starting to drift toward petty crime and - the biggest group - the teens who are not committing any crimes.

Shea said each group needs to be engaged with and counseled.