By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

Chandler city officials and others helped family and friends celebrate what would have been Preston Lord’s 17th birthday Sept. 23 in Downtown Chandler.

In an event hosted by The Stillery restaurant, a giant sign bearing Preston’s name was presented in a courtyard. Several area elected officials were in attendance.

Chandler Vice Mayor O.D. Harris posted several photos and videos from the event on social media and emailed out a statement. He said he helped coordinate Preston Lord Day to honor the slain teen’s memory and to prompt everyone to keep making life safer for East Valley youth.

Lord died last October, two days after he was severely beaten outside a Queen Creek home, prompting criminal charges in his death and a renewed law enforcement, local government and parent involvement focus on teen safety.

“Our communities have suffered greatly due to teen violence, and Preston Lord’s tragic death has been a catalyst for change,” Harris wrote in his statement. “This day is not just a remembrance but a call to action. Violence affects us all, no matter its source. Unfortunately, violence breeds more violence, and as a community, we are united in declaring, ‘Not in our community.’”

Some of those who attended were Lord’s father, Nick Lord, stepmother Melissa Cicone, other Chandler City Council members and others.

Harris said some of the Arizonans who have called for major reforms include state lawmakers, school board members, Arizona NAACP Vice President and Pastor Andre Miller, representatives from the Maricopa County Attorney General’s Office, law enforcement, and hundreds of residents.

The city of Chandler’s main reforms so far have been council work and passage of a pair of ordinances, one prohibiting possession by or sale of brass knuckles by minors and one penalizing hosts of large prohibited gatherings.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic.  Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.