Like a microcosm of cities and towns across America once the school year ends, Fairburn is seeing a jump in crimes committed by some of its younger residents. Four young Fairburn offenders, ages 12-15, were arrested in the past two weeks for burglary, stalking, simple battery, trespassing and curfew and tobacco violations.
“We knew that once school was out there might be an increase in juvenile crime,” said Fairburn Police Lt. Toney Williams said. “We were familiar with some of these juveniles from the past and were able to make some arrests.”
Facing charges of burglary, stalking and simple battery in a May 24 incident was a 12 year-old male. A Fairburn woman in the historic district told officers three males forced their way into her home after being refused entry by her daughters, age 12 and 13, and had reportedly pushed girls against a wall inside the home. The woman arrived home as the incident was occurring, according to police reports. The woman said that as she approached the house, the males fled the house through the back door, jumping over a privacy fence in the back yard, reports said. Charges are pending against the two other males.
A 13 year-old male was charged with burglary in a May 25 incident off Plantation Road after he entered a vacant home, according to reports. The 13 year-old had been walking with two other juveniles but had separated from them, reports said. The two said the 13 year-old had been carrying a concrete rock. Officers found a concrete rock lying on the kitchen floor of the home that had been entered. A window in the back door had been broken. The 13 year-old was located and detained by a neighbor.
A 12 year-old male was charged with trespassing May 28 at a residence near Ga. Highway 138. The 12 year-old was one of three male juveniles reportedly swimming in a resident’s back yard without permission, according to reports. Officers arrived at the location, finding that the resident had detained the 12 year-old as the boys crashed through a fence. Officers noted two “No Trespassing” signs in the pool area.
A 15 year-old male charged June 6 with curfew and tobacco violations was one of two juveniles stopped after midnight in an area were recent incidents of property damage had occurred. The 15 year-old was carrying a baseball bat and was found to be in possession of tobacco products.
Williams said Fairburn takes seriously any violations of the law by juveniles. That statement is backed up by Fairburn’s arrest of numerous juvenile offenders in past months. But rather than following the customary trend of juveniles becoming repeat offenders who create a revolving door of crime, Williams said he would rather work with juveniles and parents before situations get to the point where the law gets involved and charges are filed. He welcomed parents’ inquiries about concerns they might have.
“The Police Department is willing to work with parents and kids. We’d rather deter it now than have to arrest them later,” Williams said.