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Three members of the Gilbert council in Arizona, Scott Anderson, Jim Torgeson, and Chuck Bongiovanni, have proposed establishing a subcommittee to examine teen violence in their town, alongside police efforts to address it. The proposal comes amid growing concerns about violent attacks by adolescents, linked to a group known as the “Gilbert Goons”. The Gilbert Police are reviewing previous assault cases involving teens to identify any connections, while the council members hope the proposed subcommittee will improve transparency regarding such incidents.
Three Gilbert Council Members Propose Subcommittee to Address Teen Violence
In attempt to tackle escalating teen violence, three Gilbert council members – Scott Anderson, Jim Torgeson, and Chuck Bongiovanni – have proposed forming a subcommittee. They look to discuss the issues with local law enforcement, aiming to improve transparency and support in police interventions.
The council members officially requested that a town meeting on January 9 includes a vote on the creation of the new subcommittee. Growing concerns amongst parents have fueled the initiative, with stories and videos of teen crime, including beatings attributed to a group known as “Gilbert Goons,” widely shared.
Recent Teen Crime Incidents Spark Community Concern
The proposed subcommittee seeks to address why some crimes were not rapidly reported to the police and how investigations were handled. Community anxiety heightened after the fatal beating of 16-year-old Preston Lord in Queen Creek in late October. The Queen Creek Police Department recently proposed criminal charges against seven individuals involved in Lord’s death.
Gilbert Police Department Takes Action
The Gilbert Police Department is actively reviewing past teen assault cases to identify any links to the “Gilbert Goons”. Furthermore, they plan to increase patrols in high-traffic areas popular among teens, such as the mall and Gilbert’s Downtown Heritage District.
Officials Urge Patience and Cooperation
Mayor Brigette Peterson urged the community for patience and emphasized the importance of the judicial process in a recent social media post. Meanwhile, Town Manager Patrick Banger encouraged anyone with relevant information to report to Gilbert PD via call 480-503-6500 or through their online tip site at glbrt.is/GPDSubmitATip.
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