City of Dunkirk sees spike in juvenile crime, police urge parents to step up
Ava Martinez has spent over 3 years covering community issues in Buffalo, particularly focusing on social justice initiatives and grassroots movements. With a degree in Sociology from the University at Buffalo, she has a deep understanding of the societal factors impacting local neighborhoods. Ava previously worked as a community organizer before transitioning to journalism.
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Within the past month, Dunkirk Police responded to seven separate incidents, including trespassing, robbery, assault and more. All seven involved kids between 13 and 15 years old.When we have a teenager doing crimes that are serious in nature, more than 123 times, it becomes an issue that we feel that parents should be involved and aware of what's going on. Dunkirk Chief of Police Douglas Swizer said. In September, officers responded to Dunkirk City High School, where two girls, 13 and 15, were found allegedly trespassing. According to the release, the 13-year-old allegedly refused to leave, physically resisted officers and threatened school staff.Two weeks later, juvenile suspects were involved in a reported home invasion. One resident was allegedly stabbed. Charges in the case are pending.Four days later, four boys, 15, 14, 14 and 13, were petitioned to Family Court after officers found them attempting to steal property from a local business. In this case, the parents, Loren E. Duman