GILBERT, AZ — Gilbert Town Council will vote on a subcommittee to discuss the scope of teen violence in the town “in conjunction with police intervention and support.”
Councilmembers Scott Anderson, Jim Torgeson, and Chuck Bongiovanni requested that a January 9 town meeting include a discussion and vote on creating the subcommittee. They submitted their written request for an agenda item last week.
Parents have been relaying stories and videos of youth violence in the area including beatings and other crimes attributed to a group of teens dubbed “Gilbert Goons.”
Torgeson told ABC15 the subcommittee would help provide more transparency after months of teen assaults. He said he wants to "hear the public and their concerns" and he hopes "misinformation can be eliminated."
RELATED: Gilbert PD investigating if 'Gilbert Goons' can be classified as a criminal street gang
Concerns about violent teen-on-teen attacks in the southeast Valley grew significantly after the beating death of 16-year-old Preston Lord in Queen Creek in late October. Last week, the Queen Creek Police Department submitted the names of seven people to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office recommending criminal charges in their investigation related to the Lord’s homicide.
The Gilbert Police Department said officers are reviewing their past assault cases on teens to see if there is any connection to the "Gilbert Goons" and if there is any additional information or connection between incidents that can assist with investigations.
Gilbert police also plan to continue increased patrols of high-traffic areas often frequented by teens, including areas in and around the mall and Gilbert’s Downtown Heritage District.
Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson posted a statement on social media Thursday urging patience.
“I’m grateful this community is united in its desire to see justice found but stress that the judicial process must be followed,“ Peterson wrote.
Statement from
— Mayor Brigette Peterson (@GilbertAZMayor) January 5, 2024
Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson pic.twitter.com/tjkPwCbDtV
"I am certain our police are doing their are doing their due diligence," Torgeson told ABC15. "However this plays out, it needs to be in a manner that doesn't interfere with the investigations yet allows a flow of information."
Councilmember Yung Koprowski emailed ABC15 Friday evening saying she will be unable to attend Tuesday's meeting but does support the subcommittee proposal.
"This subcommittee will provide an additional avenue for communication and listening, reinforcing our commitment to the safety of our children Koprowski wrote.
Town Manager Patrick Banger declined an interview request to discuss the subcommittee or the latest developments, but he issued the following statement:
“I am working closely with staff and our community partners to address concerns related to teen violence in Gilbert. I can assure you that all of our resources are being used to thoroughly review prior incidents and cases and we continue to encourage anyone with tips or information to directly report them to Gilbert PD by calling 480-503-6500 or via our online tip site at glbrt.is/GPDSubmitATip.”
ABC15 is covering developments in the killing of Preston Lord and teen violence in the southeast Valley. Have a tip? Email us at investigators@abc15.com
