Friday, Aug. 01, 2008
Southlake Town Square Crime Report Surprises Some Parents
By Nicholas Sakelaris
Staff Writer
From mooning out a window and vandalizing to brawling and drinking, at least a few misbehaving teenagers have kept police busy in Southlake Town Square this summer.
Roderick Page, community initiatives officer, described some of the latest crime trends in in the Square at last week’s SPARK [Students and Parents Against Risks to our Kids] meeting.
The citywide curfew, a SPARK initiative, has helped deter crime because it gives officers a reason to question youths who are out late, Page said.
In addition, the camera surveillance system has helped fight crime and deter bad behavior at Town Square, he said. The City Council recently approved funding for 27 more cameras, so eventually there will be 59 electronic eyes monitoring Town Square.
Some problems have been traced to carloads of youngsters being dropped off for hours without supervision. Sometimes such groups display almost a "mob mentality," Page said, and poor decision-making results.
"They are just so aggressive, so boisterous, so knuckleheaded at times you’re kind of wondering, 'Who are your parents? Why’d they leave you unattended?’" Page said.
Fighting, drug dealing and sexual activity are major problems in the parking garages. Sometimes the violence escalates into an assault, especially if someone flashes a weapon.
"All the kids see is a pistol stock. They don’t know if it’s a BB gun. They don’t know if it’s an aerosol gun," Page said. "Unfortunately for law enforcement most of those items are assumed to be real. We’ll take it seriously."
Criminal mischief, including graffiti, putting soap in the fountains, breaking windows and discharging fire extinguishers have also been reported.
There is an ongoing issue with vandals targeting SUVs, especially Hummers, in Town Square, Page said.
"For some reason, there are people who are adamant about not liking Hummers or gas guzzlers," Page said. "It’s cool to key Hummers. I have no have no idea why."
When police arrive, some teenagers flee the scene in their cars, which poses a threat to everyone on the road, Page said.
"That’s how most of our hit-and-runs happen. They’re young, dumb and scared," Page said.
Attempted suicides are another problem, which surprised many parents at the meeting.
"First place we go is where the kids gather, right here. This is where we find them," Page said. "We try to get them some medical attention."
Alcohol and drug use is also prevalent. Officers have found children as young as 12 passed out at Town Square.
Often, minors will disguise the alcohol by putting vodka in a water bottle. They often get the alcohol or prescription drugs from home.
"If you have alcohol at home, monitor your quantities," Page said.
Laura Hill, SPARK founder and city councilwoman, said it is obvious that teenagers need a structured hang out. The City Council has made the development of a community center a high priority for the next year.
"They are just so aggressive, so boisterous,
so knuckleheaded at times you’re kind of
wondering, 'Who are your parents?
Why’d they leave you unattended?’"
— Roderick Page,community Initiatives Officer
Print
E-Mail
