2a4all
Regular Member
imported post
Police are fighting teen gun culture Newport News plans another gun buyback for next month. Hampton will "push harder" to highlight the dangers of firearms.
By DAVID MACAULAY |247-7838 November 18, 2008 Police are set to prioritize the escalating juvenile gun culture on the Peninsula with programs such as a new gun buyback after the shooting deaths of four teenagers in Hampton and Newport News in as many months.
Newport News police will hold a second gun buyback next month, while Hampton Police Chief Chuck Jordan said he will "push harder" on educational initiatives to highlight the dangers of firearms.
The shooting death of 14-year-old Xavier Denzell Barringer-Blakeney in Hampton at 1:30 a.m. Saturday brought to six the number of teens shot on the Peninsula and in Surry since August and highlighted the apparent prevalence of guns among young people. A 16-year-old and a 15-year-old from Newport News have been charged in the killing.
Xavier led a short but troubled life. At 12, he was sent to juvenile detention for stealing a Jeep with a 14-year-old and going on a joy ride that ended with the death of a 33-year-old Hampton woman when the Jeep crashed into her home.
Related links
In 2007, seven 16- and 17-year-olds were killed on the streets of Newport News alone.
Jordan said there had been a recent upsurge in youth violence in the city. Police will continue a zero-tolerance approach on homicides that has led to a 100 percent arrest record this year, while educational programs in the city are targeted at young people and families.
"There is no doubt that youth violence is an issue of today," Jordan said. "The numbers suggest that young people with handguns committing violent acts seems to be going up."
Jordan said there are plenty of laws preventing young people from having guns.
"The issue is where they are getting these guns and why they feel as though they have to settle arguments and disagreements in a way that results in violence," he said.
"There seems to be a culture with the youth that they can stay out at 1:30 in the morning and they can possess handguns when maybe years ago, young people would never have thought of possessing a handgun at 12, 13 or 14 years of age unless you were going hunting under direct adult supervision."
Jordan said although some children find "glamour" in guns, a large number of teenagers are not tempted by violence and support the police in tackling it.
Targeting information about the dangers of guns and gangs at parents is vital, he said. Hampton started a campaign to enlist parents and groups such as Parent Teacher Associations and civic organizations four years ago when gangs started to become a real issue in the city, he said.
Jordan called for greater parental involvement.
"Anything that puts young people in danger needs to be dealt with by adults."
Jordan said the recent spike in youth gun crimes needs to be put in perspective.
"Even though we've had a slight increase in terms of the murder rate for juveniles, this is the lowest we've been in over two decades ... education and prevention has helped," he said. "We are going to push it harder and get the information out there more."
Jordan said Hampton police made quick arrests in all the homicides. "The message becomes clear: If you commit an offense in Hampton, you will face the legal consequences."
In Newport News, the dangers of young people with guns was illustrated in December when a 15-year-old boy shot a woman in the hand in Patrick Henry Mall's parking lot during the Christmas shopping season. He was sentenced to five years and 10 months behind bars.
In an interview at the end of last year, Newport News Police Chief James Fox said juveniles with guns was one of his biggest concerns, and the Patrick Henry Mall incident could have easily left more victims.
digg_url = 'http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_teendeaths_1118nov18,0,5367171.story'; "I think we've seen more young kids with guns," he said. "A young person with a gun doesn't have the maturity if something goes wrong during a robbery — they're quick to use the gun."
Newport News police spokesman Harold Eley said Monday that police plan to hold another gun buyback next month.
Last year's event netted 359 firearms: 70 semiautomatic pistols, 112 revolvers, 83 shotguns, 76 rifles and 18 other weapons.
"There will always be guns, but we want to get the community involved in getting them off the streets," Eley said.
Police are fighting teen gun culture Newport News plans another gun buyback for next month. Hampton will "push harder" to highlight the dangers of firearms.
By DAVID MACAULAY |247-7838 November 18, 2008 Police are set to prioritize the escalating juvenile gun culture on the Peninsula with programs such as a new gun buyback after the shooting deaths of four teenagers in Hampton and Newport News in as many months.
Newport News police will hold a second gun buyback next month, while Hampton Police Chief Chuck Jordan said he will "push harder" on educational initiatives to highlight the dangers of firearms.
The shooting death of 14-year-old Xavier Denzell Barringer-Blakeney in Hampton at 1:30 a.m. Saturday brought to six the number of teens shot on the Peninsula and in Surry since August and highlighted the apparent prevalence of guns among young people. A 16-year-old and a 15-year-old from Newport News have been charged in the killing.
Xavier led a short but troubled life. At 12, he was sent to juvenile detention for stealing a Jeep with a 14-year-old and going on a joy ride that ended with the death of a 33-year-old Hampton woman when the Jeep crashed into her home.
Related links
-
Youth homicides in 2008 Graphic - Shooting deaths among young people this year
-
Mug shots from local arrests Photos - Explore our interactive Newport News crime database
-
Explore our interactive James City crime database
In 2007, seven 16- and 17-year-olds were killed on the streets of Newport News alone.
Jordan said there had been a recent upsurge in youth violence in the city. Police will continue a zero-tolerance approach on homicides that has led to a 100 percent arrest record this year, while educational programs in the city are targeted at young people and families.
"There is no doubt that youth violence is an issue of today," Jordan said. "The numbers suggest that young people with handguns committing violent acts seems to be going up."
Jordan said there are plenty of laws preventing young people from having guns.
"The issue is where they are getting these guns and why they feel as though they have to settle arguments and disagreements in a way that results in violence," he said.
"There seems to be a culture with the youth that they can stay out at 1:30 in the morning and they can possess handguns when maybe years ago, young people would never have thought of possessing a handgun at 12, 13 or 14 years of age unless you were going hunting under direct adult supervision."
Jordan said although some children find "glamour" in guns, a large number of teenagers are not tempted by violence and support the police in tackling it.
Targeting information about the dangers of guns and gangs at parents is vital, he said. Hampton started a campaign to enlist parents and groups such as Parent Teacher Associations and civic organizations four years ago when gangs started to become a real issue in the city, he said.
Jordan called for greater parental involvement.
"Anything that puts young people in danger needs to be dealt with by adults."
Jordan said the recent spike in youth gun crimes needs to be put in perspective.
"Even though we've had a slight increase in terms of the murder rate for juveniles, this is the lowest we've been in over two decades ... education and prevention has helped," he said. "We are going to push it harder and get the information out there more."
Jordan said Hampton police made quick arrests in all the homicides. "The message becomes clear: If you commit an offense in Hampton, you will face the legal consequences."
In Newport News, the dangers of young people with guns was illustrated in December when a 15-year-old boy shot a woman in the hand in Patrick Henry Mall's parking lot during the Christmas shopping season. He was sentenced to five years and 10 months behind bars.
In an interview at the end of last year, Newport News Police Chief James Fox said juveniles with guns was one of his biggest concerns, and the Patrick Henry Mall incident could have easily left more victims.
digg_url = 'http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_teendeaths_1118nov18,0,5367171.story'; "I think we've seen more young kids with guns," he said. "A young person with a gun doesn't have the maturity if something goes wrong during a robbery — they're quick to use the gun."
Newport News police spokesman Harold Eley said Monday that police plan to hold another gun buyback next month.
Last year's event netted 359 firearms: 70 semiautomatic pistols, 112 revolvers, 83 shotguns, 76 rifles and 18 other weapons.
"There will always be guns, but we want to get the community involved in getting them off the streets," Eley said.
