CHANDLER, AZ — The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and Chandler Police Department joined forces to host a community forum on youth violence on Wednesday night.
“Teen violence is not inevitable. In fact, it can be very preventable,” said Chandler Police Chief Bryan Chapman.
For parents like Samantha Kluger, attending the forum with her son Ben was about that prevention.
“I want my son to realize one bad choice or one decision can be life-altering,” she said. “It’s important to make good decisions in these formative teen years.”
Kluger says the event carries added weight in the wake of the murder of 16-year-old Preston Lord, which shocked the East Valley in October of 2023.
His stepmom, Melissa Ciconte, sat behind a booth representing the non-profit the family started in his honor, “Justice 4 Preston Lord”, hoping his ultimate legacy can be ending teen violence.
“A lot of children don’t feel seen or heard, and that’s why they act out,” Ciconte said. “It’s important to have the big conversations with them.”
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said the problem is becoming more widespread, saying her office received referrals for more than 10,000 criminal cases involving kids last year. It’s an increase of nearly 60% since 2021.
“We have to stop these dangerous patterns before they carry over into adulthood,” Mitchell said.
Chandler Police highlighted their use of school resource officers to connect with children before they reach high school as one part of a potential solution.
“We’re trying to get to that demographic before they get to high school, and help them engage in good decision making, leadership, and peer accountability,” Chief Chapman said.
Still, leaders stressed that no single program or forum is enough on its own.
“We all need to be united in this effort,” Chapman said.
The conversation continues with a Teen Violence Mental Health Summit this Friday at the ASU Mesa campus.
Later this fall, Chandler police will again partner with Preston Lord’s family to teach hundreds of students CPR.
