Combatting Teen Violence: Maricopa County Attorney Launches Awareness Campaign
In response to a sharp rise in teen and juvenile crime, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has launched an awareness campaign aimed at tackling the issue of violent confrontations being posted on social media without being reported to the police.
During a press conference, Mitchell emphasized the importance of reporting such incidents to law enforcement in order to maintain the safety of the community.
The motivation behind the campaign stems from a significant increase in violent crimes committed by teenagers, with reports showing a rise from six incidents in 2022 to 27 in 2023. Cases such as the “Gilbert Goons” incidents, where fatal assaults and serious crimes were recorded and shared on social media platforms, served as a stark reminder of the need for action.
According to Mitchell, the data indicates a concerning trend of more teenagers and juveniles being referred for prosecution.
The “Report, don’t repost” campaign will utilize digital media platforms to encourage individuals who witness or record violent crimes to report them to the authorities instead of sharing them on social media.
For more updates on this campaign, stay tuned with 12News for the latest information.
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