Gilbert, Arizona is stepping up its fight against teen violence with the creation of a new subcommittee aimed at tackling the issue in conjunction with police intervention and support. The proposal for the subcommittee, put forth by Councilmembers Scott Anderson, Jim Torgeson, and Chuck Bongiovanni, is set to be voted on during a town meeting on January 9. This move comes after growing community concerns, highlighted by a string of violent incidents attributed to a group of teens known as the "Gilbert Goons", according to ABC15.
The urgency of the situation increased, after the fatal assault of 16-year-old Preston Lord in Queen Creek last October. The recent submission of names by the Queen Creek Police Department to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, for the recommendation of criminal charges in the Lord case, has amplified calls for action. Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson has urged patience in a social media post, acknowledging the community's united desire for justice, “I’m grateful this community is united in its desire to see justice found but stress that the judicial process must be followed," Peterson stated.
Parallel to the subcommittee initiative, the Gilbert Police Department has revealed it's investigating eight incidents related to teen violence. Of these, four new investigations stemmed from online tips while the other half are reopened cases that were shelved earlier. The department, declining interview requests from 12News, said some victims had mentioned the "Gilbert Goons" in their reports, prompting inquiries into whether this group should be classified as a criminal street gang.
Moreover, the police are collaborating with various law enforcement agencies including the state's gang task force, GIITEM, and neighboring police departments in Mesa, Queen Creek, Chandler, and the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. Classification as a gang could mean stiffer penalties for convictions connected to the "Gilbert Goons", with Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell explaining to 12News how this can significantly add to the sentencing for crimes involved. “What the enhancement does is a higher level felony, such as a class two or class three, it adds five years to the sentence," Mitchell said, "If it’s a lower level offense, such as a four, five or six, which is the lowest level felony, it adds three years.”
The formation of the subcommittee is poised to provide an additional platform for both communication and public engagement in the town’s efforts to ensure the safety of their youth. According to Councilmember Yung Koprowski, who expressed support for the proposal via an email to ABC15, "This subcommittee will provide an additional avenue for communication and listening, reinforcing our commitment to the safety of our children." As Gilbert strives to reconcile public concern with the methodical needs of justice, their actions underscore a balance that many communities are still struggling to find in the face of rising teen violence nationwide.
