PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Attorney's Office, along with several Valley police chiefs are starting a new campaign to try and curb teen violence in the area.
The campaign is called "Report, don't repost," and it asks teens to not spread videos of the crimes on social media, and instead report them to the police.
Watch the announcement in the player below:
Police agencies from Phoenix, ASU, Buckeye, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Surprise, Tempe, and Queen Creek are all involved in the awareness campaign.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell says juvenile-related crime is up in the Valley despite overall crime numbers decreasing in the area.
Mitchell says juvenile crime is not only rising in the Valley, but across the state and the country.
County attorney Mitchell later spoke at a safety fair in Mesa. ABC15 went to listen and hear from the community.
"A party is not just a party, it's turning into that violence," said Mesa Police Chief Ken Cost.
At the event, Mesa police detailed proactive action they said they've taken this summer, including enforcing curfews. The Mesa Public Schools Superintendent said they will be working alongside MCAO with their new campaign.
"It's nice to see that some eyes are open, and some ears are open now," said Rick Kuehner.
His son was a victim of a teen violence assault at the Gilbert In-N-Out last August. He and a group of other parents who have spoken out about teen violence spoke with ABC15 after the meeting.
"There's a lot of good that can come from social media," said Charisia Arnold. "It can be used to inform the community."
But they said the goal of some of the kids posting videos, is to gain popularity or clicks.
"It brings a dynamic of power to it," said Arnold.
Parents hope education follows that reaches teens directly.
"The police departments and the SRO's need to go to assemblies and show that new video to 'Report, Don't Repost'," said Scott Myers.
They also told ABC15 they are encouraged by the safety fair, and hopeful more conversation will continue.
"Please continue to use your voice and show up, because that’s what's gotten us this far," said Bridget Vega.
