Queen Creek police emphasize teen safety during fall break

Over the next few weeks, schools will be on fall break and law enforcement agencies in the southeast Valley, including Queen Creek, will be working together to keep area youth safe.

The Queen Creek Police Department, the Gilbert Police Department and the Mesa Police Department are now coordinating efforts to prevent another spate of teen violence in the region as schools go into their first fall breaks since the beating death of 16-year-old Preston Lord.

“In Queen Creek, we will continue to deploy extra patrols in common areas where teens are known to congregate and enforce laws related to curfew, underage drinking and other disruptive behavior,” according to a post on the QCPD Facebook page.

Curfews for juveniles in Queen Creek who are not accompanied by their parent or guardian are 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for teens 15 and under and midnight to 5 a.m. for 16- and 17-year-olds.

Over the summer, Queen Creek Police Chief Randy Brice said his department was adding specialized patrols at the town’s parks and trails, as well as ”high-profile controls in areas where kids are known to gather” such as movie theaters, entertainment centers, stores and fast-food restaurants. Police are also keeping an eye out for areas where parties may spring up.

Residents are encouraged to call the QCPD non-emergency line at 480-358-3500, or 911 in an emergency, to report illegal activity and suspicious behavior.

Members of teens and young men called the Gilbert Goons have been arrested throughout the southeast Valley in connection with the beating and robbing residents.

In the most high-profile case, Lord was severely beaten at a Queen Creek house party on Oct. 28. He died on Oct. 30. Seven juveniles and adults from Gilbert have since been arrested and charged in Lord’s death.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Janet Perez can be reached at jperez@iniusa.org.