Parents, community can help keep summer crime down

Kids driving quads in restricted areas, doing damage with BB guns, slashing tires, suspiciously hanging out past curfew, smoking at the park, throwing rocks and even playing “chicken” with speeding cars were some of the actions committed during spring break. The city of Maricopa hopes that trend does not return now that schools are closed for summer break.

“I believe there was an increase in criminal damage that we usually don’t see during the school year,” Maricopa Police Chief Kirk Fitch said. “We had several incidents that appeared to be related to youth criminal activity. We had an action plan for this last spring break, but these are usually short-lived because it takes officers and detectives off of cases and work schedules to coincide with spring break. School children let out for long periods of time generally equates to an increase in property damage and theft.”

As summer is now upon us, what does that “long period of time” mean for the community?

“In the summer, there’s really nothing to do,” said Celeste Burtnett, 14. “We have to go into Tempe or Chandler if we want to go to the mall, or watch a movie. I know a lot of kids that go out at night and just go hang out at the park, and smoke. I’m lucky that my mom lets me have friends over, or sometimes takes us to places like Arizona Mills; otherwise, I might be out there at night, too. And you know, when everyone is together, they start doing crazy things.”

The city’s youth coordinator, Rocky Brown, reaches out to community youth. “I try to invest in programs that all teens will have interest in. I’ve come to find out that, with teenagers, word gets around.”

Brown said the city will host summer movies at Rotary Pool and Maricopa High School, job shadowing, CRR and first-aid certification and a Teen Leadership Camp to help teens learn how to write resumes and work on job applications.  “I am also working on putting together a Teen Retreat for this July.”

Penascos Mexican Restaurant owner Rosalinda O’Hare is “exploring the idea of having a teen dance night at the restaurant.”

“Any safely monitored activity for teens during the summer time is a good thing,” Brown said.

“We realize there is a lack of programs, and we’ve been trying to fill the gap,” Mayor Anthony Smith said. “We have supported the youth council and CAASA, and we’ve had an intern program, too,” said Smith. “Unfortunately, we have a limited budget with many needs. Ideally, we’d like to have programs for all the kids or places for those that just want to ‘hang out.’”

The Mayor says there are ongoing discussions with movie theaters and other business that could “fill the gap,” but the size of the population has been a concern for businesses looking at Maricopa. “Sustainability is what the businesses are looking for, and, over the last few years, it’s been extremely difficult with the economic situation. No one wants to have a bowling alley open up and go out of business in six months. I know there is a need though, and we’ll continue to be aggressive in our conversations with companies.”

Smith also talked about future plans for a community center but recognized that doesn’t provide a short-term solution.

“We’re still in the design stages, so that’s a few years down the road,” he said.

“The city council and city management recognize these important issues and are taking steps to find our youth jobs and activities, but these take time to build and develop,” commented Fitch. “In the meantime, it will be a challenge to combat crimes and related misdeeds of our young adults, but we really need our community and parents to be very active in monitoring their children.”