Last night witnessed a collective effort from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and Chandler Police Department to directly address youth violence. A community forum was held with experts and family members sharing insights and preventive strategies. Among the speakers was Chandler Police Chief Bryan Chapman, who highlighted that teen violence isn’t a foregone conclusion and can, in fact, “be very preventable,” as reported by ABC 15.
Recent incidents, including the disturbing fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Michael Montoya II and a separate assault over a pair of shoes, have put a spotlight on to significantly increase community involvement. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell expressed her concern about the “concerning” statistics around teen violence, seeking to educate and foster solutions at the grassroots level. “We’re here to educate people about the prevalence of teen violence to come up with some community-oriented solutions,” Mitchell stated in an interview obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix.
The forum also served as a platform for those who’ve experienced these tragedies firsthand. One such voice was Melissa Ciconte, the stepmother of Preston Lord, whose life was tragically cut short outside a Halloween party in 2023. Bearing her grief, she spearheads the non-profit, “Justice 4 Preston Lord,” with the hope of using her stepson’s memory as a catalyst for change. She told ABC 15, “A lot of children don’t feel seen or heard, and that’s why they act out,” emphasizing the importance of having significant dialogues with youth…